To this point in the series, we have mostly used blues scales and pentatonic scales to solo over blues chord progressions.
But there are several other scales that work just as well over blues progressions, and even more effectively when combined with a blues scale.
This post will cover two of the hybrid scales:
- The Dorian-blues scale.
- The Mixolydian-blues scale.
It will also provide common fingerings for each of the scales, along with instruction on how to play them on a guitar in any key.
The Dorian-Blues Scale: Theory
The Dorian scale is very closely related to the blues scale.
Blues Scale
The formula for a blues scale is 1, b3, 4, b5, 5, b7.
A blues scale contains the first, flatted third, fourth, flatted fifth, fifth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
An A blues scale contains the notes A, C, D, Eb, E and G — the first, flatted third, fourth, flatted fifth, fifth and flatted seventh notes in an A major scale (fig.1).
Fig.1
Dorian Scale
The formula for a Dorian scale is 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7.
A Dorian scale contains the first, second, flatted third, fourth, fifth, sixth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
An A Dorian scale contains the notes A, B, C, D, E, F# and G — the first, second, flatted third, fourth, fifth, sixth and flatted seventh notes in an A major scale (fig.2).
Fig.2
Dorian-blues Scale
A Dorian scale includes all of the notes in a blues scale (fig.2, highlighted in blue) except for the flatted fifth scale degree (fig.1, highlighted in blue).
So if we add the flatted fifth scale degree to a Dorian scale, we have a Dorian-blues scale.
Fig.3 shows an A Dorian-blues scale.
Fig.3
The formula for a Dorian-blues scale is 1, 2, b3, 4, b5, 5, 6 and b7.
An A Dorian-blues scale contains the notes A, B, C, D, Eb, E, F# and G.
Dorian-blues Scales: On a Guitar
A common fingering for a Dorian-blues scale is shown in fig.4.
Fig.4
This fingering will allow you to play a Dorian-blues scale starting on any note:
- To play an A Dorian-blues scale, start the pattern on the A on the sixth string, fifth fret (fig.5a).
- To play an E Dorian-blues scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.5b).
Fig.5
The Mixolydian-blues Scale: Theory
The Mixolydian scale is also closely related to the blues scale.
Mixolydian Scale
The scale formula for a Mixolydian scale is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and b7.
A Mixolydian scale contains the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
An A Mixolydian scale contains the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F# and G — the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and flatted seventh notes in an A major scale (fig.6).
Fig.6
Mixolydian-blues Scale
A Mixolydian scale contains four of the six notes (fig.6, highlighted in blue) in a blues scale, all except for the flatted third and the flatted fifth scale degrees (C and Eb in an A blues scale).
So if we add a flatted third and a flatted fifth scale degree to a Mixolydian scale, we have a Mixolydian-blues scale.
Fig.7 shows an A Mixolydian-blues scale.
Fig.7
The scale formula for a Mixolydian-blues scale is 1, 2, b3, 3, 4, b5, 5, 6 and b7.
An A Mixolydian-blues scale contains the notes A, B, C, C# D, Eb, E, F# and G.
Mixolydian-blues Scales: On a Guitar
A common fingering for a Mixolydian-blues scale is shown in fig.8.
Fig.8
This fingering will allow you to play a Mixolydian-blues scale starting on any note:
- To play an A Mixolydian-blues scale, start the pattern on the A on the sixth string, fifth fret (fig.9a).
- To play an E Mixolydian-blues scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.9b).
Fig.9
Application
Dorian-blues Scale
A Dorian scale is a minor-type scale that can be used wherever you would use a minor pentatonic scale or a blues scale to solo with.
It can be used over unaltered minor chords (including minor triads, minor seventh chords, minor ninth chords, minor eleventh chords and minor thirteenth chords) and over blues chord progressions.
The Dorian scale already has a bluesy quality to it. To create a more bluesy sound, use the Dorian-blues hybrid scale.
Mixolydian-blues Scale
The Mixolydian scale is bright sounding, like a major scale, but more tense because of the flatted seventh scale degree (or minor seventh interval) it contains.
A Mixolydian scale can be used to solo over unaltered dominant chords (including dominant seventh chords, dominant ninth chords, dominant ninth, suspended fourth chords and dominant thirteenth chords) and over blues chord progressions.
The Mixolydian scale already has a bluesy quality to it. To create a more bluesy sound, use the Mixolydian-blues hybrid scale.
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