Blues Harp Chart and Cheat Sheet

Lesson Length: 5:39
Instructor: George Goodman

The Blues Scale is the coolest of scales.

Harmonica Cheat Sheets pdf

Hohner Special 20 in C
In this lesson, as in most of the lessons, I am playing a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C.

The Blues Scale is a six note scale that is characterized by flattening certain pitches to create the signature Blues sound.
In comparison to a major scale, the notes of the Blues Scale consist of the root,
flat 3,
4,
flat 5,
5,
and flat 7.

Although the Blues scale sounds best when played over the I7 chord, the Blues scale can be played throughout a Blues progression irrespective of the chord being played whether on the I, IV, or V.
For example, if the Blues key is G, playing a C harmonica in second position, the G Blues scale can be played throughout the Blues progression.

The Blues scale tabs are broken into octaves over the rows and into notes of the scale by columns.
The first column shows the root;
second column is the flat 3;
third column, 4;
fourth column, flat 5;
fifth column, 5;
sixth column, flat 7.

The first row starts in the third column with blow 1. This is the 4.
This is followed by -1 with a half bend; this is the flat 5.
Followed by -1 which is the 5.
Then draw 2 with a double bend which is the flat 7th.

1 -1b -1 -2bb

The scale starts over again in the second row on the root -2.
Next is -3b which is the flat 3rd.
Then 4 , -4b, -4, and -5.

-2 -3b 4 -4b -4 -5

We can get most of the blues scale again but a special technique is needed, the overblow on hole 6.
The root note is blow 6.
The flat 3 is 6o.
Then blow 7.
You can't sound the flat 5 in this range so it's marked x.
Then -8 and -9.
You can sound the root again on blow 9.

6 6o 7 x -8 -9

So here it is over the full range of the harmonica:

1 -1b -1 -2bb
-2 -3b 4 -4b -4 -5
6 6o 7 x -8 -9
9

Wrap Up

The Blues scale is the best source for licks when improvising over the Blues.
There are countless Rock 'N' Roll and Blues songs where you'll hear the distinctive Blues scale.

It sounds great against the I7 chord but also works well over the IV7 and V7 chords.

Blues Scale Tabs
1 -1b -1 -2bb
-2 -3b 4 -4b -4 -5
6 6o 7 x -8 -9
9