Tuning-specific scale diagram

F Minor Blues Scale in Open A Tuning

F Minor Blues Scale in Open A Tuning shows the same f minor blues scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned E A E A C# E. 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: E A E A C# E
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: E2 to E4
24-fret range: E2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

None of the 6 open strings belongs to F Minor Blues Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low E string.

First root on each string

String 6Fret 1

String 5Fret 8

String 4Fret 1

String 3Fret 8

String 2Fret 4

String 1Fret 1

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11, with the F root at fret 1. On the highest E string, the first F is at fret 1.

Fret 1F1

Fret 4Abb3

Fret 6Bb4

Fret 7Cbb5

Fret 8C5

Fret 11Ebb7

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play F Minor Blues Scale on the low E string at frets 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest F root each time the line changes strings.
Connect the F root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 1, 8, 1, 8, 4, and 1, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.