fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON VIOLA

F Major Blues

Major pentatonic + the chromatic ♭3 passing tone. Country, rockabilly, and bluegrass colour.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title F Major Blues Verovio
Keyboard
FGACDFGACDFGACDFG♯G♯G♯
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
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Questions
What notes are in the F Major Blues scale?

The F Major Blues scale uses the notes F, G, G♯, A, C, D (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Major Blues scale formula?

The Major Blues scale follows the interval pattern W H H W+H W W+H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on F to get the F Major Blues scale.

What chords work over F Major Blues?

Major Blues works over the I7 / IV7 / V7 of country / bluegrass / rockabilly progressions. The ♭3 is a passing tone.

How do I finger F Major Blues on Viola?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

When would I use the Major Blues scale?

Major pentatonic + the chromatic ♭3 passing tone. Country, rockabilly, and bluegrass colour.