BLUES: the scales (Page 1 of 2)

That's "pattern 4."  The fourth of five minor pentatonic patterns.    It's only Am when you start on the 5th fret.  If you start on the 7th, it's B minor pentatonic.  Start on the 3rd, and it's G minor, etc.

http://www.tonart.com/Main/ScaleLessons … terns.html

The thing about this chart is that it has the pattern you described as pattern 2, but that's no big deal.   

The important thing to remember is that despite what it says at the top of the page, these are only A minor pentatonic because they start on A.  The root of each of these scales is indicated with the little circle.    Set the root wherever you want, and it will be that scale.  These are completely portable all over the neck.   B minor is *exactly* the same pattern, with the root on B.

To take this notion a little further,  *all* scales have these kinds of patterns.  Complete major and minor scales do.  Major pentatonic do.   Diminished and dominant scales do.  The fretboard is layed out in patterns.  It just takes practice and study to find them.

Good luck!

Playing Blues is often more an attitude, and not really the scale!  Yes, the scales are important. But, in a typical 12-bar blues riff, playing in Am pentatonic, you can do wonders within that scale!  It's really depends on how creative you are.  You can do long or short bends (1/2 or full), some slide, or hammer to make your playing more interesting!  You can then, move your scale to the 17th fret, which is the same as playing the 5th fret of the Am pentatonic.  Just have fun and try different tricks when playing the blues. 

kahuna

All the emotion and artistic intent in the world means nothing if you can not manipulate the fretboard in a predictable manner.

Blues isn't just the scale, but it's nothing without it.

You can also use the actual blues scale wich is almost exactly the same as the pentatonic. I'll give you an example in A

e - 5 & 8
b - 5 & 8
g - 5 & 7 & 8
d - 5 & 7
a - 5 & 6 & 7
E - 5 & 8

Jerome,

Yes, I completely agree with you about knowing the scales.  What I should have said, also, was that most people think that playing Blues is too tough or too confusing (with scales and all).  But, having seen Muddy Waters, BB King and other Blues players, a few simple notes with some attitude really helped their expression!  So, maybe folks wouldn't have to be afraid of trying to play the blues! 

Hey Guys, Just sitting back here reading this thread has give me a much better understanding too.  Thank you.  Totally agree about emotion/feel thats needed.  Love the blues.

Well said ST!  I do agree that there are other positions one can explore in the Am pentatonic scale.  What you have below is what I'm used to as well.  I've limited my comments to only the first position because it was easier to read and understand by those who read this thread! 

Playing the Blues is wonderful, and it easier than most people think!  I especially love the fifth position.  It makes such a difference when jamming with other people! 

Thanks,
Kahuna

I am so glad to get such an impressing answers.
The reason of "the existence" of the blues, go back far away. Somewhere in an article I read that there still are black Africans, in different parts of Africa, where you can hear and learn a lot of their music. I've been several  (+-10) times to South Africa, you have ZULUS, XHOSA (Nelson Mandela is a XHOSA) and BUSHMEN (this should be a tribe for George W.)
If you are interested  surf to www.africaguide.com, but I heard more than once music there. The way they sing and play, is amazing, best example: PAUL SIMON when he releasedalbum immensely popular Graceland, for which he won a Grammy. The album featured the ground breaking use of African rhythms and performers such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, VERY popular in South Africa ISN'T IT NADINE???. I think that blues is straight from the heart, but in the beginning, they were singing on the cotton fields, probably GOSPEL & BLUES were developed more or less simultanious. Gospel was OK, because there they could sing now in public, and it was a must: going to Church. Blues: BLACK BETTY a big hit for Ram Jam, but written by Lead Belly. I have a big box, about: Sony 100 years music containg 26 CD's, and a must for music lovers. There are even songs, recorded in early 1900. Still a lot of money, for a lot of music. On www.amazon.com you look for Sony 100 years of music. ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS EVER MADE 
giving you an idea about the evolution, all different kinds of music, going over Opera, Operette, Blues, Gospel, R&B, Folk, Rock and Pop. See for yourself, but don't get an heartattack when you see the price. On the Amazon market $159.99 and brand new $296.99. I was very lucky to receive this box, as a "relation" gift, when still working. I wish I could share this with you.
My opinion about blues is identical to yours: STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART. But do you agree if I tell that this is the same for other songs? see WHITHOUT YOU, written and performed by BADFINGER, as a catchy, but still melancholic song, covered only a few months later by HARRY NILSSON, the song comes from real deep in his soul (I compare this a lot with "A little help from my friends" written and performed by the Beatles, BUT WHO REMEMBERS THE LONG CUTTING TO THE BONE CRY, in the Woodstock version by Joe Cocker?
I have the impression that a lot, maybe 50-75% of the songs (pop & rock" are Blues related.
You don't need a solo on guitar, minutes long, you need TO feel the music. If you don't, you may be a super guitarist, but you will always stay a robot, if you don't put a peace of you in that song.
Also a lot of producers are ruining a lot of songs, glad that we find a lot of bootlegs or outtakes, where you see the spirit again, and not "good enough to use this version", but a cleaned up version caused by producers.

Jerome
You are the man I need, admiring AND envying your knowledge.
Are you a (semi- hobby-professional) like teaching music? In theory, I should now, today, working in Canada. In 1997, everything was ready to ship to South Africa to become generalist. They are allowed to perform a lot more things, like GASTROSCOPY. After working to improve my skills, I had a place open for me, giving the opportunity that you want to work in Australia, New Zealand and CANADA. But, just in between I met a girl, THE ONE WHO LEFT ME WHILE IN HOSPITAL 2005, AND ALSO THE ONE WHO THROW AWAY my Gibson Black Les Paul MADE in 1968, the FIRST YEAR of a new start. She is worth $$$$$ if all original, which I let replace by P-94, because I had already  1978 custom, so the value is now $$. Don't you have connections who are selling guitar parts? I don't know if they are PAF's.

Altex,

Yes, I love using the blues scale below as well!  The 6 and 7 transition note on A and G strings really makes it unique! 

e - 5 & 8
b - 5 & 8
g - 5 & 7 & 8
d - 5 & 7
a - 5 & 6 & 7
E - 5 & 8

Does anyone know any guidelines for moving this scale up and down the neck like the minor pentatonic?  Do you have to adjust it like you do with the minor pentatonics? ? or does it stay the same and you just have to move it up 2 frets for a whole tone and 1 fret for a 1/2 tone?
Thanks,
ssp3