Pentatonic & Blues
C Blues Scale on Piano
The C blues scale is C minor pentatonic with one extra note — the chromatic "blue note" between the 4th and 5th. That tense passing tone is one of the most recognizable sounds in blues and rock.
Notes of the C Blues Scale
| Degree | Note | Interval from root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Root |
| 2 | Eb | Minor 3rd |
| 3 | F | Perfect 4th |
| 4 | Gb | Diminished 5th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | Bb | Minor 7th |
| 7 | C | Octave |
1½-W-H-H-1½-W1½ · W · H · H · 1½ · WMinor pentatonic with an added flat 5 — the b5 is the "blue note" that gives the scale its name.
W = whole step, H = half step, 1½ = one and a half whole steps (three half steps).
C Blues on the Staff
One octave ascending in treble clef with the key signature of C major (no sharps, no flats).
Fingering
One common right-hand fingering; blues scales do not have a single ABRSM-standard fingering. Adjust to taste when crossing the blue note.
- 1C
- 2Eb
- 3F
- 4Gb
- 1G
- 2Bb
- 3C
- 5C
- 4Eb
- 3F
- 2Gb
- 1G
- 3Bb
- 2C
Numbers indicate fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little. Both rows are shown in ascending order (low note to high note). Note the left hand starts on the pinky (5) at the lowest note and crosses the middle finger over the thumb to continue upward — that is why the left-hand numbers count down before cycling again.
Where You Hear This Scale
Many players learn it as their first improvisation scale. Played over a C7 or Cm7 chord it sounds at home; played over a C major chord it immediately colors the sound blue. The blue note — Gb, or equivalently F# — is usually played as a passing tone between F and G rather than held, which is why it feels like a slide rather than a stop.
Train Your Ear to Recognize This Scale
Put what you learned into practice with Fortepian's free scale identification exercise. Hear a scale and identify it — 9 progressive levels, from major and minor to modes, pentatonic, blues, and exotic scales. No signup needed.
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