Tuning-specific scale diagram

F Minor Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning

F Minor Blues Scale in Drop B Tuning shows the same f 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: F, Ab, Bb, Cb, C, Eb
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 F Minor Blues Scale: string 6 Cb (b5), string 4 Cb (b5), and string 2 Ab (b3). None of those open-string tones is the F root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6Cbb5

String 4Cbb5

String 2Abb3

First root on each string

String 6Fret 6

String 5Fret 11

String 4Fret 6

String 3Fret 1

String 2Fret 9

String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest B string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 4, 6, 9, and 11, with the F root at fret 6. On the highest C# string, the first F is at fret 4.

OpenCbb5

Fret 1C5

Fret 4Ebb7

Fret 6F1

Fret 9Abb3

Fret 11Bb4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play F Minor Blues Scale on the low B string at frets 0, 1, 4, 6, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets Cb on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest F root and two other scale tones.
Connect the F root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 6, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.