The Blues Scale
One of the most practical ways of remembering the blue notes is to use the Blues Scale. It contains all three of the blue notes: b3, b5 and b7. The Blues scale can be played starting on any note. It is shown here in the key of C.
It is worth comparing the notes of the Blues scale with those of the major scale. Here are the notes of both scales in the key of C.
Notice that the Blues scale contains both the flat 5 and the natural 5. It does not contain the degrees 2 or 6. Altogether the Blues scale contains six different notes, whereas the major scale contains seven different notes. The major scale used by itself does not sound very bluesy. However, Blues melodies often contain notes from both of these scales. Play the following example to hear the difference between them.
The following solo will help you become more comfortable with the Blues scale. The scale is played ascending and descending over the three bass notes C, F and G which are I, IV and V in the key of C. Notice how changing the bass note alters the sound. Notice also the use of octaves in the left hand part. Practice each hand by itself at first if necessary.
