Once you're familiar with the A Minor Pentatonic Scale, it makes sense to learn the Am Blues Scale, which is formed by adding the b5 to the Pentatonic Scale. This one additional note gives an incredible amount of flavor to the Minor Pentatonic, adding a bit of chromaticism and sounding recognisably bluesy, even in the hands of beginners.
If you haven't learned the A Minor Pentatonic Scale yet, go do that first.
Here's a quick breakdown of the note names and degree names for the A Minor Blues Scale:
- Root (R) = A
- Minor 3rd (b3) = C
- Fourth (4) = D
- Flat Fifth = Eb
- Fifth (5) = E
- Minor 7th (b7) = G
As you can see, it's not a pentatonic scale, since it has six notes, rather than five. Technically, that makes it a hexatonic scale, but people don't use that term very often. It's easier to think of it as a Minor Pentatonic plus one additional note.
The b5, sometimes called "the blue note," is an "outside" note. It's not part of the Natural Minor Scale upon which the Minor Pentatonic is based. Adding the flat five adds a touch of chromaticism, making it easier to create tension that you can then, just as easily, release.
The Entire Scale
Last Update
This page was last updated on 07/13/2026.