A blues scale on piano
The A blues scale on piano has 6 notes: A, C, D, E flat, E, and G (A, C, D, E♭, E, G). It uses 1 black key: E♭.
- A 1
- C ♭3
- D 4
- E♭ E flat ♭5
- E 5
- G ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (A) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the A blues scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- A
- 1½W
- C
- W
- D
- H
- E♭
- H
- E
- 1½W
- G
- W
- A
Degrees: 1 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · 5 · ♭7. Steps: 1½W – W – H – H – 1½W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the blues scale
Minor pentatonic plus the "blue note" (flat fifth). The sound of the blues.
Scales with the same notes
Relative major: C major blues scale . Same notes, different center.
More A scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Blues in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A blues scale?
The notes of the A blues scale are A, C, D, E flat, E, and G. It uses 1 black key: E♭.
What is the formula of the A blues scale?
In degrees: 1 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · 5 · ♭7. In steps between notes: 1½W – W – H – H – 1½W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).