Blues Scales for Piano

Adding a ”blue note” to the regular Pentatonic scale gives the Pentatonic Blues Scale. These scales are for obvious reasons perfect when playing blues on the piano. The "Major Blues Scale" is some less common than the "Minor Blues Scale" and, therefore, we start with minor and you find the major by scrolling down.

The blues originate from a mix of different sources in music, so there is no satisfying explanation in theoretical terms about this scale. But the most important thing is of course how it sounds when you are using it. Try these scales below and you will hear the blues!

Minor Blues Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the minor pentatonic blues scales.

C Pentatonic Blues

Notes: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C

C# / Db Pentatonic Blues

Notes: C#, E, F#, G, G#, B, C#

D Pentatonic Blues

Notes: D, F, G, G#, A, C, D

D# / Eb Pentatonic Blues

Notes: D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#

E Pentatonic Blues

Notes: E, G, A, A#, B, D, E

F Pentatonic Blues

Notes: F, Ab, Bb, B, C, Eb, F

F# / Gb Pentatonic Blues

Notes: F#, A, B, C, C#, E, F#

G Pentatonic Blues

Notes: G, Bb, C, C#, D, F, G

G# / Ab Pentatonic Blues

Notes: G#, B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#

A Pentatonic Blues

Notes: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A

A# / Bb Pentatonic Blues

Notes: A#, C#, D#, E, E#, G#, A#

B Pentatonic Blues

Notes: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B

Pentatonic Blues Scales overview
C: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C
C#/Db: C#, E, F#, G, G#, B, C#
D: D, F, G, G#, A, C, D
D#/Eb: D#, F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#
E: E, G, A, A#, B, D, E
F: F, Ab, Bb, B, C, Eb, F
F#/Gb: F#, A, B, C, C#, E, F#
G: G, Bb, C, C#, D, F, G
G#/Ab: G#, B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#
A: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A
A#/Bb: A#, C#, D#, E, E#, G#, A#
B: B, D, E, F, F#, A, B

Intervals and steps
Interval: 1, b3, 4, b5, 5, b7
Semi-notes: 3 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 3 - 2
Formula: Whole and a half, Whole, Half, Half, Whole and a half, Whole

Theory and tips for improvisation

The pentatonic blues scale is built upon three dominant chords. For example, in the case of C pentatonic the three chords are C7 – F7 – G7. We can see the relationship when comparing the notes in the scale:

• C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C

with the notes in the three chords:

• (C7) C, E, G, Bb – (F7) F A C Eb – (G7) G B D F

There is a close correlation as you can see.

So how can you improvise on the piano with blues scales? By learning these scales you will get great tools for improvising in the musical style of blues (these scales are also used in jazz improvisation). A tip is to use the left hand for a chord and play the notes of the scale with the right. You can then combine a C blues scale with C7, F7 and G7 chords. In the same way you can combine a G blues scale with the chords G7, C7 and D7 and so on in different keys.

You can also improvise blues in minor. A nice combination are the chords Am7, Dm7 and E7 together with the A pentatonic blues scale.

Major Blues Scales

Here are pictures and notes of the major pentatonic blues scales.

C Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, C

C# / Db Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: C#, D#, E, F, G#, A#, C#

D Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: D, E, F, F#, A, B, D

D# / Eb Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: D#, F, F#, G, A#, C, D#

E Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#, E

F Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, F

F# / Gb Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#, F#

G Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, G

G# / Ab Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: G#, A#, B, C, D#, F, G#

A Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: A, B, C, C#, E, F#, A

A# / Bb Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: A#, C, C#, D, F, G, A#

B Pentatonic Major Blues

Notes: B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#, B

Pentatonic Major Blues Scales overview
C: C, D, Eb, E, G, A, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, E, F, G#, A#, C#
D: D, E, F, F#, A, B, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G, A#, C, D#
E: E, F#, G, G#, B, C#, E
F: F, G, Ab, A, C, D, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, A#, C#, D#, F#
G: G, A, Bb, B, D, E, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C, D#, F, G#
A: A, B, C, C#, E, F#, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D, F, G, A#
B: B, C#, D, D#, F#, G#, B

Intervals and steps
Interval: 1, 2, b3, 3, 5, 6
Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 1 - 3 - 2 - 3
Formula: Whole, Half, Half, Whole and a half, Whole, Whole and a half

Melodic Minor Scales

The melodic scale differs from the natural minor scale due the sixth and seventh notes are raised a semi-step, and therefore, no longer play as in the major scale. This scale is also some kind of a peculiar since it is played differently ascending and descending.

When you go up the scale you are using the melodic minor scale, but when you move down the scale you are using the natural minor scale. For the melodic scale in A it will look like this:
Ascending: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A
Descending: A, G, F, E, D, C, B, A

A

Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F# (F), G# (G), A

A# / Bb

Notes: A#, C, C#, Eb, F, G (F#), A (G#), A#

B

Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G# (G), A# (A), B

C

Notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, A (Ab), B (Bb), C

C# / Db

Notes: C#, Eb, E, F#, G#, A# (A), C (B), C#

D

Notes: D, E, F, G, A, B (Bb), C# (C), D

D# / Eb

Notes: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, C (B), D (C#), D#

E

Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C# (C), D# (D), E

F

Notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D (Db), E (Eb), F

F# / Gb

Notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, Eb (D), F (E), F#

G

Notes: G, A, Bb, C, D, E (Eb), F# (F), G

G# / Ab

Notes: G#, A#, B, C#, Eb, F (E), G (F#), G#

Melodic Minor Scales overview
A: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, Eb, F, G, A, A#
B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A#, B
C: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, B, C
C#/Db: C#, Eb, E, F#, G#, A#, C, C#
D: D, E, F, G, A, B, C#, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, C, D, D#
E: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D#, E
F: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, E, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, Eb, F, F#
G: G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F#, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, Eb, F, G, G#

Intervals and steps
Interval: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Semi-notes : 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 1
Formula: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole, Half

Harmonic Minor Scales

The harmonic minor scale is one of three minor scales. The other two are the natural minor and the melodic minor. The sound of the harmonic scale is characterized by the music of the Middle East.

The harmonic minor differs from the natural minor with a sharpened seventh note and, therefore, this minor scale is not played in the same way as the relative major scale.

A

Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A# / Bb

Notes: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, A, A#
Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2
Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

B

Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A#, B
Fingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C

Notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, C
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C# / Db

Notes: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, C, C#
Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3
Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

D

Notes: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

D# / Eb

Notes: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, D, D#
Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2
Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3

E

Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

F

Notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, F
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

F# / Gb

Notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, F, F#
Fingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4
Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

G

Notes: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

G# / Ab

Notes: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, G, G#
Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2
Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Harmonic Minor Scales overview
A: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, A, A# (theoretically correct is B#, E# and G## instead of C, F and A)
B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A#, B
C: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, C, C# (theoretically correct is B# instead of C)
D: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, D, D# (theoretically correct is E# and C## instead of F and D)
E: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D#, E
F: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, F, F# (theoretically correct is E# instead of F)
G: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, G, G# (theoretically correct is F## instead of G)

Fingerings: 1 = Thumb | 2 = index finger | 3 = middle finger | 4 = ring finger | 5 = little finger.
LH = Left hand | RH = Right hand

Intervals and steps
Interval: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7
Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 3 - 1
Formula: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole and a half, Half

Piano Minor Scales

Contrary to the major scale there are not one but three minor scales and we shall look at each. The three groups of minor scales are:

• The natural minor
• The melodic
• The harmonic

The natural minor scale is often referred to as the minor scale. This scale can sometimes confuse people because it is in a way identical to the major scale. The A minor scales include exactly the same notes as the C major scale which makes them relative keys (read more about this further down the page).

Natural Minor Scales

Here are pictures and notes of scales.

A Minor

Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

A# / Bb Minor

Notes: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#
Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2
Fingerings (RH): 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

B Minor

Notes: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B
Fingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C Minor

Notes: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

C# / Db Minor

Notes: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#
Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3
Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

D Minor

Notes: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

D# / Eb Minor

Notes: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#
Fingerings (LH): 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2
Fingerings (RH): 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3

E Minor

Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

F Minor

Notes: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4

F# / Gb Minor

Notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#
Fingerings (LH): 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4
Fingerings (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

G Minor

Notes: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G
Fingerings (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1
Fingerings (RH): 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

G# /Ab Minor

Notes: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#
Fingerings (LH): 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2
Fingerings (RH): 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3

Minor Scales overview
A: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A
A#/Bb: A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A# (theoretically correct is B# instead of C)
B: B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B
C: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C
C#/Db: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#
D: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D
D#/Eb: D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#
E: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E
F: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F
F#/Gb: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#
G: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G
G#/Ab: G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#

Fingerings: 1 = Thumb | 2 = index finger | 3 = middle finger | 4 = ring finger | 5 = little finger.
LH = Left hand | RH = Right hand

Intervals and steps
Interval: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
Semi-notes: 2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 2 - 2
Formula: Whole, Half, Whole, Whole, Half, Whole, Whole

Relative keys - major and minor

Relative keys have, as said above, the same notes and it can be found for all major and natural minor scales. G major is relative with E minor, F major is relative to D minor; see all relative keys below:

• Cb - Abm
• Gb - Ebm
• Db - Bbm
• Ab - Fm
• Eb - Cm
• Bb - Gm
• F - Dm
• C - Am
• G - Em
• D - Bm
• A - F#m
• E - C#m
• B - G#m
• F# - D#m
• C# - A#m

You don't need to memorize all relative keys, if you want to know the relative minor just go to the sixth degree in the major scale.

Although the notes are the same there is a difference between two relative keys: the tonic (first tone in the scale) is not the same and this leads to different sounds. If you play in the A minor you will get a more gloomy and kind of melancholy sound comparable to C major.