Tuning-specific scale diagram
Bb Minor Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning
Bb Minor Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same bb minor blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned B F# B E G# C#. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.
- Scale notes
- Bb, Db, Eb, Fb, F, Ab
- Formula
- 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
- Semitones
- 0 3 5 6 7 10
- Tuning
- B F# B E G# C#
- Strings
- 6
- Open pitch range
- B1 to C#4
- 24-fret range
- B1 to C#6
Open strings and root positions
3 of the 6 open strings belong to Bb Minor Blues Scale: string 3 Fb (b5), string 2 Ab (b7), and string 1 Db (b3). None of those open-string tones is the Bb root, so the root must be fretted on every string.
String 3Fbb5
String 2Abb7
String 1Dbb3
First root on each string
String 6Fret 11
String 5Fret 4
String 4Fret 11
String 3Fret 6
String 2Fret 2
String 1Fret 9
Low-string pattern
On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 11, with the Bb root at fret 11. On the highest C# string, the first Bb is at fret 9.
Fret 2Dbb3
Fret 4Eb4
Fret 5Fbb5
Fret 6F5
Fret 9Abb7
Fret 11Bb1
Practice this tuning-specific layout
- Play Bb Minor Blues Scale on the low B string at frets 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
- Build a phrase that lets Fb on open string 3 ring, then connect it to the nearest Bb root and two other scale tones.
- Connect the Bb root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 6, 2, and 9, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.
Fretboard diagram
Open this diagram in the fretboard tool
Start with Bb Minor Blues Scale and drop b 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 DDADGAD 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 A TuningA 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