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It is important to understand what scale is appropriate or available when soloing over a blues progression. The most common blues is a I, IV, V progression or a twelve bar blues. These progressions tend to contain the same types of chords, usually all of them being seventh chords, major or minor chords. The most common of these arrangements contains only seventh chords.

If we take the blues progression containing only seventh chords, we will find that one scale will not fit these chords perfectly, in a musical sense. If we try to match a scale with the chords, we could play the mixolydian mode over the I chord, in the same key of the I chord. We could take this approach to the other chords and play the mixolydian mode in the same key over the IV chord and V chord. This is one approach to solo over this type of progression.

When a blues progression is composed of entitely major chords, it is best to use the major scale, also known as the Ionian mode. The major pentatonic scale would also work well in this example. Both scales contain the notes which match these major chords perfectly.

When a blues progression contains just minor chords, it is best to use the natural minor scale, also known as the Aeolian mode, or the minor pentatonic scale. These scales will sit perfectly over these chords when soloing with the guitar.

What I would like to do now is explain the most common blues guitar scale and when it is best suited. This scale is simply called the blues scale and it is the minor pentatonic scale with a flat 5 added to it – R, flat 3, 4, flat 5, 5 and flat 7. Now remember I mentioned that the most common blues progression is constructed entirely with seventh chords(R,3, 5,flat7). This is the scale of choice to play over this type of progression. So you might be wondering why this scale has a flat 3 or minor 3rd in it – it doesn’t make musical sense using a minor 3rd over a major 3rd! Well, put simply this is what gives the blues such a distinctive sound – the flat 5 also gives this “bluesy” sound.

So there you have it, to find the correct scale to play over a blues progression, typically a I, IV, V chord progression, firstly look at the I chord. If it is a seventh chord you could use the mixolydain mode as described previously, or just use the blues scale. Using the key of A – you would use the A blues scale. If it is a A major or A minor as the I chord you would use the A major and the A minor scale respectively. You could also just use the A blues scale over these two progressions as well, or a combination. You have plenty of options available, so have some fun and experiment with these various blues guitar scales.

Clause N Dillon has been learning and playing music for over two decades. He has recently released an easy to follow guitar scales and soloing E Book which will help any guitar player to learn lead guitar and soloing. For a limited time we have arranged for our valued readers to receive a free copy by clicking the coloured link. Pentatonic Guitar Scales, Blues Guitar Scales