scale
Fretboard diagram
C composite blues scale — chords and intervals
Harmonizing the C composite blues scale produces a comprehensive jazz chord family that merges major and minor blues structures into a single, flexible harmonic palette. The chords of C composite blues are C (1-♭3-4), D (1-2-3), Eb (1-2-3), Gb minor seventh, G minor seventh, Gb diminished, G minor, A diminished, Bb (1-3-♭5). The nine chords allow improvisers to freely mix happy and gritty chord colors over dominant harmony. This chord family is the ultimate toolkit for jazz-blues comping, providing every shade between major and minor. Commonly used in Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Funk. Notable players include John Scofield, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton.
The C composite blues scale has the following degrees: 1 2 ♭3 3 4 ♭5 5 6 ♭7.
Intervals: W-H-H-H-H-H-W-H-W.
Diatonic chords: C (1-♭3-4), D (1-2-3), Eb (1-2-3), Gb minor seventh, G minor seventh, Gb diminished, G minor, A diminished, Bb (1-3-♭5).
| Degrees | Chord |
|---|---|
| I | C (1-♭3-4) |
| ii | D (1-2-3) |
| iii | Eb (1-2-3) |
| IV | Gb minor seventh |
| V | G minor seventh |
| vi | Gb diminished |
| vii° | G minor |
| 8 | A diminished |
| 9 | Bb (1-3-♭5) |
Degree-by-Degree Analysis
The I chord (C (1-♭3-4)) is the tonic — the gravitational center of the key. The ii chord (D (1-2-3)) is the minor subdominant, commonly used to approach the V chord. The iii chord (Eb (1-2-3)) functions as a substitute for the I or vi. The IV chord (Gb minor seventh) is the subdominant — it adds motion and moderate tension. The V chord (G minor seventh) is the dominant — it creates the strongest tension that wants to resolve to the I. The vi chord (Gb diminished) is the relative minor — it brings emotional color and depth. The vii° chord (G minor) is the diminished — the most tense, rarely used alone, usually leading to the I.
This page focuses on the harmonic content — the chords built from each degree of the C composite blues scale. For fretboard patterns and fingering guides, see the scale page.
Use the interactive harmonizer above to explore triads, seventh chords, and chord voicings for composing with the C composite blues scale on guitar.
Related Scales
How to Use This Scale
Use over dominant 7th chords in blues and jazz-blues. Contains both major and minor 3rds, allowing fluid switching between bright and dark.