E Blues Scale

Notes in the E Blues Scale

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic E 329.628 Hz
♭3 Minor Mediant G 391.995 Hz
4 Subdominant A 440.000 Hz
♯4 Blue Note A# 466.164 Hz
5 Dominant B 493.883 Hz
♭7 Subtonic D 293.665 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: W+H-W-H-H-W+H-W
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 E G
2 Whole Step (W) 2 G A
3 Half Step (H) 1 A A#
4 Half Step (H) 1 A# B
5 Aug 2nd (WH) 3 B D
6 Whole Step (W) 2 D E

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 E E (complex) other
♭3 G G minor minor
4 A A (complex) other
♯4 A# A# (complex) other
5 B B (complex) other
♭7 D D (complex) other

Key Signature

4 — The E key signature uses F#, C#, G#, D#.

E Blues Scale in Practice

The E Blues Scale uses the key signature of 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#). E major has four sharps and a powerful, resonant sound particularly suited to guitar. It is one of the most common keys in rock and blues music. On guitar, E positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.

The blues scale adds the flat 5th (blue note) to the minor pentatonic scale, creating the characteristic dissonant tension central to blues, jazz, and rock music.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

Note Equal Temp. Pythagorean Just Intonation
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz
G 391.995 Hz 391.111 Hz 392.438 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz
A# 466.164 Hz 463.538 Hz 470.926 Hz
B 493.883 Hz 495.000 Hz 490.548 Hz
D 293.665 Hz 293.332 Hz 294.329 Hz

Related Scales

Guitar: E Blues Scale Positions

The E key offers 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like E are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.