The blues scale

This versatile scale will help you play more than just blues

The minor pentatonic scale (turn to p26 for more info) is arguably the most common scale in rock and blues. One simple change turns this essential run of notes into the blues scale, as shown here. Despite the blues moniker – with its edgy, dissonant sound – the blues scale is used extensively in rock, metal, folk, country and more. We’ve shown the D blues scales here.

Hear it! Cream - Sunshine Of Your Love (riff)