G# Composite Blues Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
G# Composite Blues Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G# Composite Blues scale is a comprehensive nine-note jazz scale that merges major and minor blues structures. On Guitar, it contains the notes G#, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, F, F#. It allows improvisers absolute melodic freedom over dominant chords, blending happiness and grit in every line. Commonly used in Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Funk. Notable players include John Scofield, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton. Use over dominant 7th chords in blues and jazz-blues. Contains both major and minor 3rds, allowing fluid switching between bright and dark.
Notes: G#, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, F, F#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 3M, 4P, 5d, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 8 b9
Formula: W-H-H-H-H-H-W-H-W
Number of notes: 9
How to Play G# Composite Blues on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 4 on the 6th (low E) to find your G# root note. Because this scale has 9 notes, four-notes-per-string stretches may be necessary. Start with a single position and expand gradually. Keep your thumb centered behind the neck for reach.
The G# Composite Blues scale contains 5 sharps (G#, A#, C#, D#, F#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the G# Composite Blues scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 9 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on G# to let the characteristic intervals of the Composite Blues scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the G# Composite Blues scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs.
The G# Composite Blues scale contains 9 notes (G#, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, F, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G# Composite Blues
The G# Composite Blues scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 9-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore G# Composite Blues Further
- Harmonize the G# Composite Blues scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G# Composite Blues on Ukulele
- G# Composite Blues on Bass
- G# Composite Blues on Piano
Explore G# Composite Blues in Other Tunings
- G# Composite Blues in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G# Composite Blues in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G# Composite Blues in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G# Composite Blues in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G# Composite Blues in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G# Composite Blues in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G# Composite Blues in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G# Composite Blues in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G# Composite Blues in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G# Composite Blues in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G# Composite Blues in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G# Composite Blues in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G# Composite Blues in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G# Composite Blues in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)