What is a major blues scale?

The major blues scale is a musical scale that combines elements of both the major scale and the blues scale. It is often used in blues, rock, jazz, and other genres to create a distinctively bluesy sound with a major tonality. The major blues scale is built upon the major pentatonic scale, with the addition of one “blue” note.

To understand the major blues scale, let’s consider it in the key of C. The major blues scale in C consists of the following notes: C, D, E♭, E, G, and A.

The pattern of intervals in the major blues scale is as follows:

Root (C) – whole step to D – half  step to E♭- half step to E – 1 1/2 step to G – whole step to A – 1 1/2 step to C.

So, the major blues scale in C would be: C, D, E♭, E, G, A, C.

The added “blue” note in the major blues scale is the flattened third (E♭ in the key of C). This note, along with the other notes of the major pentatonic scale (C, D, E, G, A), contributes to the characteristic bluesy sound.

The major blues scale offers a brighter and more uplifting tonality compared to the minor blues scale, which is rooted in the minor pentatonic scale and has a darker, more melancholic quality. The major blues scale is often employed in blues improvisation and soloing, allowing musicians to incorporate both major and bluesy elements into their playing.

It’s worth noting that the major blues scale can be transposed to any key by applying the same pattern of intervals to the desired root note. This flexibility allows musicians to use the major blues scale in different musical contexts and keys, adding a touch of bluesy flavor to their compositions and improvisations.