The E Minor Blues scale contains six notes: E, G, A, B♭, B, and D. It follows the whole-step / half-step pattern A-W-H-H-A-W.
E Minor Blues Scale Notes
| Degree | Name | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | E | P1 |
| ♭3 | Minor 3rd | G | m3 |
| 4 | Perfect 4th | A | P4 |
| ♭5 | Diminished 5th | B♭ | A4 |
| 5 | Perfect 5th | B | P5 |
| ♭7 | Minor 7th | D | m7 |
Key Signature
The E Minor Blues Scale doesn’t line up with a single major or minor key, so it has no standard key signature. Its notes are written with accidentals as needed.
Accidentals
B♭
E Minor Blues Scale — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the E Minor Blues Scale?
The E Minor Blues Scale has six notes: E G A Bb B D (plus the octave). It is the E Minor Pentatonic Scale with one added note — the b5 (also called the "blue note"). This b5 creates the characteristic tense, expressive quality of blues music.
What is the blue note in the E Minor Blues Scale?
The blue note is the b5 — the note between the 4th and 5th scale degrees. In E Minor Blues it is Bb. It creates harmonic tension that wants to resolve either up to the 5th or down to the 4th, giving blues its characteristic "bent" sound.
How is the E Minor Blues Scale used in music?
The E Minor Blues Scale is the foundation of blues, jazz blues, rock, and soul improvisation. It works over E minor chords, E7 dominant chords, and across the full 12-bar blues in E. The blue note (b5) is typically used as a passing tone rather than a held note.
What is the difference between the E Minor Blues Scale and E Minor Pentatonic?
The E Minor Blues Scale has one extra note — the b5 (Bb) — inserted between the 4th and 5th. This is the only difference. The b5 adds tension and expressiveness, creating the blues sound. The minor pentatonic is the same scale without it.
Can I mix the E Minor Blues Scale with the major blues scale?
Yes — mixing major and minor blues scales over the same chord is a hallmark of authentic blues playing. This technique creates the "major/minor ambiguity" heard in classic blues and rock. Start with the minor blues, then add major blues notes (especially the major 3rd) for colour.
How do I practise the E Minor Blues Scale?
Start with the E Minor Pentatonic first — add the blue note (Bb) only after you know the 5 pentatonic notes. Use the blue note as a passing tone between the 4th and 5th, not as a note to land on. Improvise slowly over a E7 chord, targeting the root, b3, and 5th as anchor tones.