You'll Hear It How NOT to use the Blues Scale - #3
Feb 2, 2018
A lively dive into common mistakes when using the blues scale. They argue for staying on one blues scale through I–IV–V and explore why switching scales can feel wrong. Historical blues practice and authenticity get attention. They also outline alternative sounds to try over specific chords and suggest mastering one blues scale before adding colors.
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Keep One Blues Scale Across The Changes
- Stay on the C blues scale through the I, IV, and V changes when playing a C blues.
- Peter Martin demonstrates repeatedly staying on the C blues scale instead of switching to an F blues or G blues when the harmony moves.
Switching Blues Scales Breaks The Blues Feel
- Using different key-centered blues scales on each chord pulls the sound between minor and major and can destabilize the blues feel.
- Adam Maness says that jumping to the IV's blues scale makes the music feel like you don't know what to do and takes it out of the groove.
St Louis Blues Tradition Avoids Scale Hopping
- Peter Martin references regional blues history to support stylistic authenticity.
- He mentions being in St. Louis and that historical blues players didn't commonly change to different blues scales on chord shifts.