Guitar scale
F# Minor Blues Guitar Scale
F# Minor Blues is a six-note scale built from F#, A, B, C, C#, and E. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Notes
- F#, A, B, C, C#, E
- Formula
- 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
- Semitones
- 0 3 5 6 7 10
How to read this scale
The notes are shown as pitch classes first. Square markers representF# root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the F# root notes and connect the remaining minor blues tones across standard tuning.
Sound and defining tones
F# minor blues adds the flat fifth to minor pentatonic: b3 (A), b5 (C), and b7 (E). The flat fifth is usually treated as a blue-note tension that moves into the fourth, fifth, or another chord tone.
- Characteristic tones
- b3Ab5Cb7E
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with F# Minor Blues loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
Use F# minor blues over minor blues, rock riffs, and many F#-centered dominant blues progressions. The blue note is expressive tension, not automatically a stable note on every chord.
- Use F# minor blues over F# minor blues, rock riffs, and many dominant blues progressions.
- It adds the flat 5 blue note to minor pentatonic for extra pull and grit.
Practice this scale on guitar
- Play F# Minor Blues from one F# root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
- Practice moving through b3 (A), b5 (C), and b7 (E) chromatically, then vary which note receives the accent or bend.
- Play one chorus of a blues in F# using only minor pentatonic, then repeat it while adding the flat fifth only as a passing or approach tone.