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Beginner guitar: Previously, we've looked at how to play lead guitar using the E minor pentatonic scale. Here, we extend the idea, add the octave below and introduce a new note. This variant of the scale might just be the basis for more classic rock, blues and funk riffs than all other scales combined!
Single-note blues-scale riffs are especially popular with funk-influenced rock bands from Wild Cherry to Extreme, who take funk basslines and convert them into hard grooving guitar parts.
By adding one vital note to the E minor pentatonic scale (a Bb note: 1st fret, fifth string) you get the E blues scale, a nastier, dirtier beast. It’s remarkable how much difference adding one note to a scale makes.
This note is dissonant, so don’t land on it for long periods unless you want a deliberately harsh effect. As a passing note between A and B though, the Bb sounds great. Read on and we’ll explain all...
Essential scales
(Image credit: Future)
Technique check
Image 1 of 2
1. The "Blues Curl"(Image credit: Future)
1. The "Blues Curl"(Image credit: Future)
1. The "Blues Curl"
Technically known as quarter-tone bends, the idea behind this bluesy technique is to bend the string slightly, but not enough to sound like the next fret. Played on the 3rd fret G note, you’ll create a sound halfway between G and G#.
2. Finger position: E minor pentatonic scale (Image credit: Future)
2. Finger position: E minor pentatonic scale
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Play the E minor pentatonic scale with your first and second fingers if you need to play notes higher up the fretboard...
3. Finger position: E blues scale (Image credit: Future)
3. Finger position: E blues scale
...but use your first, second and third fingers for the blues scale so your first finger can play the extra Bb note.
1. Minor pentatonic funk-rock
(Image credit: Future)
This is a funk-rock riff with hints of the Chili Peppers, or, if you use more overdrive, Aerosmith. Without a Bb note, this line is pure E minor pentatonic. Feel free to use hammer-ons wherever you need to: picking every note is harder and can sound too rigid.
2. Blues scale rock
(Image credit: Future)
This is a Led Zeppelin-influenced riff. You can hear how the blues-scale Bb note at the 1st fret makes the riff sound meaner. Not convinced? Try playing this vital note over the audio track to hear the clashing harmony. Finally, take care not to speed up here. Slower is heavier.
10 of the best classic riffs that use the blues scale
1. Gary Clark Jr. – When My Train Pulls In
This riff is pure E minor pentatonic. No need for that pesky blues-scale Bb note just yet!
2. Aerosmith – Walk This Way Joe Perry’s riff starts on the open A string, but it is E blues scale, we promise!
3. AC/DC – Beating Around The Bush Though recorded half a semitone below standard tuning, this uptempo rocker is all E blues scale.
4. Black Sabbath – Into The Void Another open-position E blues scale riff, although Iommi added a D# note into the mix.
5. Tom Petty – Running Down A Dream Mike Campbell’s riff moves the blues scale notes up to the 5th, 6th and 7th frets of the sixth string.
6. The Doors – Roadhouse Blues Another riff played above the 5th fret instead of staying within the open-position shape.
7. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Good Time Boys Lots of higher notes to filter out here, but the lower part of the riff is based in the E blues scale.
8. Led Zeppelin – Heartbreaker Jimmy Page’s legendary A blues scale riff is tricky to pick up by ear. The first note is a low G, not a root note.
9. Stevie Ray Vaughan – Life By The Drop SRV’s intro lick is played in the same A blues scale shape as Page’s masterpiece.
10. Cream – Sunshine Of Your Love
This classic riff is played up at the 10th fret in the D blues scale. Like an A shape, but 10 frets higher.
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