Guitar Scale Logic
C Blues Guitar Scale in Whole Step Down
Blues scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Whole Step Down.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
D|---------------------1--3--4--| A|---------------1--3-----------| F|------0--1--2-----------------| C|0--3--------------------------| G|------------------------------| D|------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 10 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The C Blues scale uses C, E♭, F, G♭, G, B♭ and the formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7. In Whole Step Down tuning, the open strings run D A F C G D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each C root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Blues sounds gritty, tense and expressive. Try it for turnarounds, blues-rock phrasing and greasy lead work. Whole Step Down lowers every string by two semitones. The string relationships stay the same as Standard tuning.
Treat the b5 as a passing colour and resolve it quickly for the classic bite. In Whole Step Down, remember that a familiar shape now sounds a whole tone lower.
- C
- E♭
- F
- G♭
- G
- B♭
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Cmminor
- C5power
- Cm7minor 7
- Csus4sus4
- E♭mminor
- E♭5power
- E♭sus2sus2
- F5power
- Fsus4sus4
- Fsus2sus2