Learning Fundamental Blues Guitar Scales for Novice Players
In the realm of music, the blues scale has left an indelible mark, shaping some of the most iconic tunes in various genres. Originating from African American musical traditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, blues music has evolved to become a cornerstone of popular music today.
The blues scale, derived from the minor pentatonic scale, incorporates an additional note called the "blue note." This extra note, often flattened at the 3rd (♭3), 5th (♭5), or 7th (♭7), adds a signature bluesy tension to the scale, creating dissonance and tension that resonates deeply with listeners.
One of the most central intervals in blues music is the tritone. Also known as "The Devil's Note" or Augmented 4th (♯4) when moving up and Diminished 5th (♭5) when moving down, this dissonant interval makes the note sound tense and unstable. The tritone can be found in many blues classics, such as Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago," which revolves around the classic 12-bar blues progression. In Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze," the tritone is a key part of his signature sound, with the main riff revolving around a Tritone interval between E and B♭ (A#).
Blues guitar scales are used to express deep emotions such as longing, sorrow, struggle, hope, and resilience. Legends like Robert Johnson and B.B. King have mastered the use of the blues scale to convey these emotions in their music. Johnson, known for his use of the E Blues Scale, especially for bending notes to add tension, while King's vibrato technique in "The Thrill is Gone" is fast, controlled, and wider than normal blues vibrato, often using his finger to shake the note, creating a unique "fluttering" effect. King also uses precise string bends and wide, expressive bends to create an aching, "crying" sound in his music.
The Heptatonic Blues Scale, which adds a major 2nd (2) or major 6th (6) to the hexatonic blues scale, creates a jazzier, more melodic feel. The major 2nd gives a jazzier sound, used in bebop and fusion. This scale variation can be heard in the more modern blues-inspired music.
The flat 7th (♭7) is the "Bluesy" Dominant Sound that gives the dominant 7th feel in blues progressions. This note, such as D# (♭5), is often bent, slid into, or played subtly to emphasize its tension. The flat 3rd (♭3) is another common blue note that gives a melancholic, soulful feel.
The origins of blues guitar playing trace back to African American work songs and field hollers, especially influenced by the "Gandy Dancers," black railroad workers whose four-beat chants and slang shaped early blues forms. Jimmie Rodgers, known as the "father" of Blue Yodeling and an early blues-style singer, was influenced by these workers during his railroad work in Mississippi, blending yodeling with blues in a unique style.
In conclusion, the blues scale and its variations have had a profound impact on music, shaping not only blues but also rock, metal, jazz, and even classical music. Its dissonant intervals, such as the tritone and blue notes, create tension and an unhinged, hypnotic quality that resonates deeply with listeners, making the blues scale a timeless and essential part of music history.
