E♯ Blues scale
The E♯ Blues scale is a 6-note blues scale built on the root E♯. Its notes are E♯, G♯, A♯, B, B♯ and D♯. Minor pentatonic with an added flat fifth (the blue note) - the heart of blues phrasing. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make E♯ Blues a great tool for improvising and composing.
The blues scale is where blues, rock, R&B and jazz improvisation live. That added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice. Built on the root E♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where E♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- E♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B · B♯ · D♯
- Formula
- 1P · 3m · 4P · 5d · 5P · 7m
- Step pattern
- W+H W H H W+H W
- Tonic
- E♯
E♯ Blues on the piano
E♯ Blues on the guitar
E♯ Blues on the staff
Hear the E♯ Blues scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the E♯ Blues scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | E♯(E#) | |
| 2 | 3m | 3 | G♯(G#) | |
| 3 | 4P | 5 | A♯(A#) | |
| 4 | 5d | 6 | B | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | B♯(B#) | |
| 6 | 7m | 10 | D♯(D#) |
How to use the E♯ Blues scale
Because E♯ Blues has fewer or more than seven notes, it doesn't produce a standard set of seven diatonic triads. Instead, build chords by stacking thirds within the scale or use it as a melodic colour over chords drawn from a related diatonic key.
The blues scale is where blues, rock, R&B and jazz improvisation live. That added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice.
Practice tips
Add the blue note (flat fifth) to your minor pentatonic phrases as a passing or grace note. Don't sit on it too long - works best as a slide.
Where you will hear E♯ Blues
E♯ Blues appears throughout the blues scale is where blues, rock, r&b and jazz improvisation live. that added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The E♯ Blues scale follows the minor pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth - the famous “blue note”. Step pattern: W+H - W - H - H - W+H - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 3m · 4P · 5d · 5P · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the E♯ Blues scale?
- The E♯ Blues scale contains E♯, G♯, A♯, B, B♯ and D♯.
- What is the formula for the E♯ Blues scale?
- E♯ Blues follows the minor pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth - the famous “blue note”.
- Is E♯ Blues a major or minor scale?
- E♯ Blues is a blues scale. Minor pentatonic with an added flat fifth (the blue note) - the heart of blues phrasing.
- What chords belong to the E♯ Blues scale?
- E♯ Blues doesn't produce a standard seven-chord diatonic set. Use chords from a related diatonic scale instead.
- Which genres use E♯ Blues?
- The blues scale is where blues, rock, R&B and jazz improvisation live. That added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice.
- How do I practise the E♯ Blues scale?
- Add the blue note (flat fifth) to your minor pentatonic phrases as a passing or grace note. Don't sit on it too long - works best as a slide.