Lesson 9. Guitar Scales
The Blues Scale

Hi and welcome to lesson 9 on guitar scales. In this lesson I would like to talk how by adding one note to the pentatonic scale, referred to as a passing tone, you get an entirely new scale called the blues scale. 

I mentioned the term passing tone. What is a passing tone and how are passing tones used in guitar scales? Good question. A passing tone is simply a note that is added between two notes of a scale that are a whole step apart (2 frets on the guitar). By adding passing tones to a scale your playing will be a lot more interesting.

Take a look art the two guitar scales in example 1. The first one is the pentatonic scale and the second one is the blues scale. Notice the passing tone highlighted in red. Wait you might be saying, there are 2 notes highlighted in red. That is correct but it is the same note in different octaves, hence only one note.

Play the 2 different guitar scales now. Listen to the differences between the two. Most importantly, experience the bluesy flavor of the blues scale. I am sure that this is a sound that you recognize in many classic guitar solos. The one that immediately comes to mind for me is the opening lick that Jimmy Page played in the solo to Whole Lotta Love.

Your goal for this lesson is to memorize the blues scale and to make up some licks of your own. Look at some guitar tab of solos by Jimmy page, Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and a host of others and find examples of how they used the blues scale. 

That wraps up lesson 9. If you have any questions or comments contact me at bob@learn-guitar-online.com.  Thanks for reading and visiting.

Click here for guitar scales lesson 10.