Guitar Scale Logic

Interactive Guitar Scale Finder

Guitar Scale Logic

F# Blues Guitar Scale in Half Step Down

Blues scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Half Step Down.

Formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
Tuning D# A# F# C# G# 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
D#
E
F♯
A
B
C
C♯
E
F♯
A
B
C
C♯
A#
B
C
C♯
E
F♯
A
B
C
C♯
E
F♯
F# F♯
A
B
C
C♯
E
F♯
A
B
C
C♯
E
C# C♯
E
F♯
A
B
C
C♯
E
F♯
A
B
G#
A
B
C
C♯
E
F♯
A
B
C
C♯
E
F♯
D#
E
F♯
A
B
C
C♯
E
F♯
A
B
C
C♯
Root Note Scale Note

Scale Tablature

Position 1

D#|---------------------------------1--3--|
A#|------------------------1--2--3--------|
F#|------------------0--3-----------------|
C#|------------0--3-----------------------|
G#|---1--3--4-----------------------------|
D#|3--------------------------------------|

0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 13 notes

Theory & Context

Why This Shape Works

The F# Blues scale uses F♯, A, B, C, C♯, E and the formula 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7. In Half 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 F# 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. Half Step Down lowers every string by one semitone. Chord shapes keep their familiar string relationships, but the sounding notes change.

Practice Tip

Treat the b5 as a passing colour and resolve it quickly for the classic bite. In Half Step Down, remember that a familiar shape now sounds one semitone lower.

  • F♯
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • C♯
  • E

Suggested Chords

Works Well With This Scale

These chords contain notes from the selected scale.

  • F♯mminor
  • F♯5power
  • F♯m7minor 7
  • F♯sus4sus4
  • Amminor
  • A5power
  • Asus2sus2
  • B5power
  • Bsus4sus4
  • Bsus2sus2

Related Pages

Related Scales