Tuning-specific scale diagram
Bb Major Blues Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning
Bb Major Blues Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning shows the same bb major blues scale pitch classes across 7 strings tuned A E A D G B E. The seventh string extends the pattern below a six-string layout while keeping the upper strings familiar.
- Scale notes
- Bb, C, Db, D, F, G
- Formula
- 1 2 b3 3 5 6
- Semitones
- 0 2 3 4 7 9
- Tuning
- A E A D G B E
- Strings
- 7
- Open pitch range
- A1 to E4
- 24-fret range
- A1 to E6
Open strings and root positions
2 of the 7 open strings belong to Bb Major Blues Scale: string 4 D (3) and string 3 G (6). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.
String 4D3
String 3G6
First root on each string
String 7Fret 1
String 6Fret 6
String 5Fret 1
String 4Fret 8
String 3Fret 3
String 2Fret 11
String 1Fret 6
Low-string pattern
On the lowest A string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10, with the Bb root at fret 1. On the highest E string, the first Bb is at fret 6.
Fret 1Bb1
Fret 3C2
Fret 4Dbb3
Fret 5D3
Fret 8F5
Fret 10G6
Practice this tuning-specific layout
- Play Bb Major Blues Scale on the low A string at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
- Build a phrase that lets D on open string 4 ring, then connect it to the nearest Bb root and two other scale tones.
- Connect the Bb root positions on strings 7 through 1 at frets 1, 6, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.
Fretboard diagram
Open this diagram in the fretboard tool
Start with Bb Major Blues Scale and 7-string drop a tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardReference pages
Related diagrams in this tuning
Related arpeggio diagrams in this tuning
Same scale in other tunings
E Flat Standard TuningEb Ab Db Gb Bb EbD Standard TuningD G C F A DC Standard TuningC F Bb Eb G CB Standard TuningB E A D F# BDrop D TuningD A D G B EDrop C# TuningC# G# C# F# A# D#Drop C TuningC G C F A DDrop B TuningB F# B E G# C#DADGAD TuningD A D G A DOpen E TuningE B E G# B EOpen D TuningD A D F# A DOpen G TuningD G D G B DOpen C TuningC G C G C EOpen A TuningE A E A C# E7-String Standard TuningB E A D G B E7-String Drop G TuningG D G C F A D8-String Standard TuningF# B E A D G B E8-String Drop E TuningE B E A D G B E