Blues Minor Scale

[BluesForDan]

what is the relationship between the A and the D# in a Blues minor scale? Is that one of the 'blue' notes?

That may sound kind of dumb, considering my LPF name, but I was messing with the scale resource site generously linked by Johnnytone to here in the Woodshed, and its done got my mind doing all kinds of thinking, comparing shapes I've played and seen others play, to scales in keys I tend to veer towards a lot, and figuring out what scales are being used for what runs.

I think I like this woodshed place :yay

 

[Dwell]

Well, that's a difficult question to answer briefly, as it's a tritone from the root, which can be a raised fourth or a lowered fifth depending on the context.

We won't get into augmented/diminished right now, as it's not really answering your question.

The short answer is that it's a passing tone, though not one usually viewed as a "blue note". It adds more of an "eastern" vibe.

But, as always, if you like how it sounds, nail that sucker.

 

[Weldaar]

D#

I never tried to use a D# in an A blues run. I guess there is no wrong notes. Anything that works gives it a flair. Try it in a solo. I just did and I can't seem to make it fit. I'll keep trying..

 

[GrasshopperRick]

Alright.
Play some Am blues. Hammer from your D to D# to E on the A string... just using your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers. Work that in some place and you'll see that you can make it work pretty well.

 

[Weldaar]

Also

The D# comes into play in a downward run from the E to the C. example: E-D#-D-C then up to A.


This not a scale, just a downward run as part of a solo.

 

[Bayou Bostick]

The Am pentatonic scale is spelled....
A, C, D, E, G

The A blues scale is spelled....
A, C, D, D#/Eb, E, G

I've always called the flat five the "blue" note, because thats what makes it different from the regular Am pentatonic.

SRV and Jeff Beck both make use of 1/4 step pitches for tension in this part of the scale. Check out some of those killer bends in Texas Flood. Talk about blue notes!!

 

[Wilko]

Bayou got it where I was going to splain.

While holding your hand on the classic 5th position for A blues like Texas Flood, you start on the "D" note with your third finger and push it up through D# into E on yoursecond string, then strike the E, A pair for your "A" chord(pair).
the D# sharp is not held long enough to be a nuisance.

 

[Unmensch]

Try playing the Heartbreaker riff omitting the flat five. Not as dark sounding, right? The sound of the flatted fifth is also a staple of a lot of soul-jazz licks. Sliding up to the flatted fifth and back down to the fourth is pretty common.

|-------------------------
|-------------------------
|------5-7-(7)/8\7-5------
|-7-7-----------------7---
|-------------------------
|-------------------------

 

[adamsmeeth]

The way I understand the blues is that 'blue' notes are diminished with respect to the equivalent note in the underlying harmony.

Therefore, played over the chord of A major, the D# should really be considered an Eb, but is valid in a blues context.

The Vb-IV-IIIb-I change is probably the most common lick around. Consider how often you have heard the Bb-A-G-E pull-off for example..

Keep rockin'
Adam (UK)