E Minor Blues Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
E Minor Blues Scale — Notes and Intervals
The E Minor Blues scale is the definitive scale of the blues tradition. On Ukulele, it contains the notes E, G, A, Bb, B, D. By adding a chromatic tension note to the minor pentatonic, it creates the dirty and expressive grit associated with Chicago and Delta blues, essential for any player looking to add emotional bite to their solos. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Jazz, R&B. Notable players include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy. Use over minor chords and dominant 7th chords in blues. The b5 is a passing tone — linger on it for tension, resolve to 4 or 5.
Notes: E, G, A, Bb, B, D
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 4P, 5d, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 3 4 5 b6
Formula: WH-W-H-H-WH-W
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: blues
How to Play E Minor Blues on Ukulele
On ukulele, find E on the fret 4 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 6 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The E Minor Blues scale contains 1 flat (Bb). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the E Minor Blues scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on E to let the characteristic intervals of the Minor Blues scale come through clearly.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the E Minor Blues scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The E Minor Blues scale contains 6 notes (E, G, A, Bb, B, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for E Minor Blues
The E Minor 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 6-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore E Minor Blues Further
- Harmonize the E Minor Blues scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- E Minor Blues on Guitar
- E Minor Blues on Bass
- E Minor Blues on Piano