D Blues (major) Scale
D Blues (major) contains 6 notes: D, E, F, G♭, A, B. It has 1 flat: G♭. The step pattern is W–H–H–W+H–W–W+H.
The major blues scale adds a chromatic passing tone (b3) to the major pentatonic. It produces a "sweet and sour" sound that characterizes sophisticated blues and country-blues playing.
The formula is 1, 2, b3, 3, 5, 6. The interplay between the minor 3rd and major 3rd is the defining characteristic — that gospel/country bend that sounds like a smile with tears. Unlike the minor blues scale which works in darker contexts, the major blues is bright and joyful with soul. Mixing major and minor blues scales in the same solo is the key to authentic blues phrasing.
Visualized using E-string and A-string root patterns, like its minor counterpart. Master guitarists seamlessly blend the major and minor blues scales, utilizing quarter-tone bends between b3 and 3 to mimic blues vocal inflections. The "B.B. King Box" is a classic fingering built around this scale.
- Lucille - B.B. King
- Gravity - John Mayer
- Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer
- How Blue Can You Get - B.B. King