If you’re looking to really start playing blues guitar like the masters, then you are going to have to learn the blues scale. Simply put, the blues scale is the most popular scale for playing the blues. It is just as popular as the minor pentatonic scale but with a far more sophisticated sound.
It really is that great! By simply adding that one special note to the minor pentatonic, the b5th, we dramatically expand the possibilities of creating a powerful blues guitar style just like Warren Haynes, Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton, and SRV.
Here are my 5 reason YOU should learn this scale.
- Your favorite blues guitar players use it. Pretty simple huh, but it’s the truth. If you want to play like someone else, do what they’re doing. By learning what patterns they use and how they use them, you will sound more like your favorite players. Now take this knowledge and create a style of your own. It’s what everyone has been doing for years.
- You can use it in many different styles of music. Just because it’s called the blues scale doesn’t mean you can only use it in the blues. I’ve heard this scale used by the Allman Brothers, Pantera, Ozzy Osbourne, Freddie King, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins, Brad Paisley, SRV, Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa, Robbie Krieger, Kirk Hammett, Eric Johnson, Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Joe Perry, BB King, Mark Tremonti, and you get the picture. If not, reread reason 2!
- It’s easy! What! Am I joking? The blues scale is easy? Yes it is. It only contains 6 notes and it’s only got 1 more note than the minor pentatonic scale. It’s really a simple scale to play, but the applications are unlimited. Just ask Danny Gatton.
- It sounds good. Once you get a feel for how to use the blues scale, it will simply sound good on everything you use it on. I am not kidding. You wanna rock? What do you think Angus Young uses on almost all of his guitar solos. yes you guessed it, the Blues Scale.
- Robert Johnson said so. The Grandfather of all blues and rock used this scale on many of his legendary recordings, and if that is not reason to by itself, then I don’t know what is. He has influenced more guitar players than anyone, and his legendary tale of selling his soul at the crossroads is probably one of the most famous tales of folklore in music history. Influencing Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and countless other blues and rock guitarists, Robert Johnson is the blues. You want to be a true blues man right?
