Using The Blues Box

The Blues Box is the reason why lead guitarists are a dime a dozen. It is a pattern on the guitar neck where any note you play fits the key you are in. In music theory terms it is a pentatonic (5-tone) scale. Here is how it works:

Assume you are playing in the ever-popular key of G major. The scale-related chords for that key are A minor, B minor, C major, D major, E minor and F# diminished. this means you can also get away with using the same chords to play in the relative minor key of E minor. (Although you may need to throw in a B major 7th on the turnaround to take it back home, especially with the Blues.)

Well it turns out that all the open strings fit and so do notes on the first five frets. (Which makes it easy to do without getting your hand stretched.) Here's the pattern:



So in no time at all, even a beginner can jam in the key of G major or E minor. They might even get curious about the rest of the guitar neck.

Have at it!

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