Enharmonic Notes
There is often more than one way of writing a particular note. Eg: the note F sharp can also be called G flat. These two notes have exactly the same sound and the same fingering. Therefore, either spelling of the note may occur in the written music. This is called enharmonic spelling of the same note. The C Blues scale is often written using a Gb note instead of an F# note. The following example uses both versions of this note.
Like the minor pentatonic scale, there are five different forms of the Blues scale which cover the whole fretboard. In fact, this principle of five fingering patterns applies to all scales. The diagrams below demonstrate the fingering patterns for the D form, C form, A form and G form of the C Blues scale, along with licks derived from each form. Memorize both the scale fingerings and the licks and then transpose them to other keys by moving them up or down the fretboard.
D Form (Pattern Two)
This lick is played within the D form of the C Blues scale. If you have trouble learning it, you probably need to spend some more time memorizing the scale pattern shown above.
C Form (Pattern Three)
Here is a lick which is derived from the C form of the C Blues scale. As before, memorize the scale fingering well and analyze the lick before transposing it to other keys.
A Form (Pattern Four)
This lick is derived from the A form of the C Blues scale as shown on the previous page.
G Form (Pattern Five)
To complete the five forms of the Blues scale, here is a lick which is derived from the G form.
