A blues scale on ukulele
The A blues scale has the notes A C D D# E G. It is the minor pentatonic with one extra note, the "blue note" (flat 5th). Use the blue note in passing, between the 4th and 5th degrees, and don't stop on it. It works over the whole 12-bar blues.
Notes and degrees
| Note | A | C | D | D# | E | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree | 1 | b3 | 4 | #4 | 5 | b7 |
In the first five frets
Standard G C E A tuning (high G). The number is the fret; 0 is the open string.
| String | Frets (note) |
|---|---|
| G | 0 (G) · 2 (A) · 5 (C) |
| C | 0 (C) · 2 (D) · 3 (D#) · 4 (E) |
| E | 0 (E) · 3 (G) · 5 (A) |
| A | 0 (A) · 3 (C) · 5 (D) |
Chords that fit
Over these chords the scale sounds bluesy. Aim for each chord's notes on the strong beats.
- A7I7
- D7IV7
- E7V7
How to use it
- Start and end your phrases on A: that is where the scale rests.
- Over Am, the safest notes are the chord tones. In the app, they show in green.
- Move by neighboring steps and leave space between phrases; rhythm matters as much as the note.
See also: chords in the key of A minor · A major · A minor · A major pentatonic · A minor pentatonic