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A composite blues scale

The A composite blues scale is made of the notes A, B, C, C♯, D, E♭, E, F♯, G. It has 9 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 ♭3 3 4 ♭5 5 6 ♭7.

Blues · 9 notes

Note names
  1. 1A
  2. 2B
  3. ♭3C
  4. 3C♯
  5. 4D
  6. ♭5E♭
  7. 5E
  8. 6F♯
  9. ♭7G

PatternW – H – H – H – H – H – W – H – W(W = whole step, H = half step)

The pentatonic scales with one extra passing note, the blue note. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Open in the scale finder

Mode and chords

It joins the major and minor blues in a nine-note scale: minor and major 3rd, diminished and perfect 5th. It is the typical material of blues improvisers.

Used overA7A9Am7Am7♭5

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the A composite blues scale?
The notes are A, B, C, C♯, D, E♭, E, F♯, G.
What is the pattern of the A composite blues scale?
The sequence of steps is W – H – H – H – H – H – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 3 4 ♭5 5 6 ♭7.
Which chords is the A composite blues scale used over?
It is used over A7, A9, Am7, Am7♭5: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.

Texts and tools by , professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 9, 2026.