crosstops.com
*Home>>>Blues

Question on Blues scales...?


If the pattern of the blues scales is 1, 3b, 4, 5b, 5, 7b, 1 then how come most of the blues scales don't fit this pattern? An example is the Gb blues scale which is Gb, A, B, C, Db, E, Gb

Gb is not F, A is not Bb, C is not Db... Even with different names for the notes, not all of them fit the pattern.

The scale you typed out DOES fit that pattern (by sound anyway)

TECHNICALLY it is a "Cb" and not "B" and it is "Fb" and not "E"

Yes, these note exist - but usually only for technical reasons like this.

Answer #1 IS CORRECT. A basic blues scale is just a b3rd, b5th and a b7th could be referred to a minor 7th scale note which is a half step lower, or basically a whole step lower then the tonic.

Additionally, Gb is not F, it is F#, A is not Bb, it is Bbb or A, which is what it is, A. C is not Db, it is C, or Dbb. You are so confused you're confusing me!

You can play blues in any scale, any key, if you can make it "fit". I tend to play a modified pentatonic scale - the modification is that I play the chromatic scale right over it when I feel like. One comment made about the way I play was "you tend to go out in the twinkies but you always manage to come back in and make it fit". As long as it sounds cool, the theory is kind of irrelevant to the final "product". You can analyze a song to death, but the final judgement is ALWAYS "does it sound cool?" Don't worry too much about the theory, unless you are in a class and need to impress the professor.

Take a major scale, knock out the half-steps and you have a pentatonic scale. Use it, and throw in a half-step or two where they sound right.

Tags
R&B & Soul Lyrics Jazz Country Classical Blues Movies Magazines
Related information
  • How many people can the house of blues in las vegas hold for a concert?
  • Does anyone know where I can find a recording of "Suppertime" By Ethel Waters?
  • I'm going to a blues festival later today. I've never been to anything like it. What should I wear?
  • Any sugestions for modern guitar based blues/rock artists?
  • Who wants to jam some BLUES-ROCK with me?
  • Better guitarist?
  • Is there unwritten rule about not dancing at blues shows?
  • Any other blues-rock lovers out there besides myself?
  •  

    Entertainment & Music Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster