The core of the blues scale is the minor pentatonic scale. The only difference between the Blues and the pentatonic minor is one additional note added to the Blues scale, making it a 6 note scale. It is this signature note and when it is used that defines the feel of the Blues.

This Blues scale is very easy to learn if you’ve already mastered the pentatonic scale, because essentially they’re the same. Don’t be fooled by it’s simplicity though as Blues is all about timing and emotion. Without those 2 factors, you can make a Blues scale sound pretty bad!

How can you put the Blues scale into practice?

I started by playing along to Blues backing tracks, and so can you. Don’t worry about how well you play it initially, just have fun and feel the music. You will improve really quickly using this training technique and very soon you will be able to improvise along with a real band.

The best thing about utilizing backing tracks to train, is that you will gain an understanding of how the scale fits in with Blues chord progressions.

Listen to your favorite Blues guitarists and pay attention to the licks they use and WHEN they use it. The timing like I said, is essential. After you’ve memorized the Blues scale, try and figure out which notes on the scale are utilized by these licks that you’ve just heard, and then try playing them on your guitar.

The one BIG secret for understanding your guitar fast, is ” song deconstruction “. This is the learning method I used to improve fast. I just tear the song apart section by section and try to work it out without using any guitar tablature. Give it a try yourself!

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1. The Pentatonic Minor Scale For Lead Guitar
2. The A Minor Pentatonic Scale Pattern