Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

B Blues Guitar Scale in Drop D

Blues scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.

Formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Tuning E B G D A D
Scale Notes 6 notes

Interactive fretboard

Scale Map

Root notes are highlighted in amber. Use the buttons to isolate each five-fret position.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
E E
F
F♯
A
B
D
E
F
F♯
A
B
D
B B
D
E
F
F♯
A
B
D
E
F
F♯
A
G
A
B
D
E
F
F♯
A
B
D
E
F
D D
E
F
F♯
A
B
D
E
F
F♯
A
B
A A
B
D
E
F
F♯
A
B
D
E
F
F♯
D D
E
F
F♯
A
B
D
E
F
F♯
A
B
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

E|------------------------0--1--2--|
B|---------------------3-----------|
G|---------------2--4--------------|
D|---0--2--3--4--------------------|
A|2--------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 11 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The B Blues scale uses B, D, E, F, F♯, A and the formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7. In Drop D tuning, the open strings run E B G D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each B root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.

Overview

Blues sounds gritty, tense and expressive. Try it for turnarounds, blues-rock phrasing and greasy lead work. Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.

Practice Tip

Treat the b5 as a passing colour and resolve it quickly for the classic bite. In Drop D, check the sixth-string frets before reusing a Standard-tuning pattern.

  • B
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • F♯
  • A

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • Bmminor
  • B5power
  • Bm7minor 7
  • Bsus4sus4
  • Dmminor
  • D5power
  • Dsus2sus2
  • E5power
  • Esus4sus4
  • Esus2sus2

Related Pages

Related Scales