Blues Scale

This page shows how the blues scale can be played in three different keys on a single harmonica. Specifically, using a C harp I will provide harmonica tablature to play the blues scale in C (first position), G (second position), and D (third position). But first let's look at what notes are available on the C harmonica. The notes in red indicate the use of an over blow or over draw.

Note Layout of a Ten Hole Diatonic Harmonica in Key of C.
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
									Bb
Eb	Ab	C	Eb	F#	Bb		Eb	F#	B
C	E	G	C	E	G	C	E	G	C
D	G	B	D	F	A	B	D	F	A
Db	F#	Bb	Db		Ab	Db	F	Ab	Db
	F	A
		Ab

Second Position

The G blues scale is: G, Bb, C, Db, D, F, G. There is one complete G scale on the C harmonica. click here to hear the avaliable G Blues Scale on a C harp.

G Blues Scale in 2nd Position (C Harp).
Complete scale highlighted in yellow.
C	Db	D	F	G	Bb	C	Db	D	F	G	Bb	C	Db	D	F	G	Bb	C	Db
1+	1'	1	2''	2	3'	4+	4'	4	5	6+	6ob	7+	7od	8	9	9+	10''+	10	10od

First Position

The C blues scale is: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C. There is one complete C scale on the C harmonica. click here to hear the avaliable C Blues Scale on a C harp.

C Blues Scale in 1st Position (C Harp).
Complete scale highlighted in yellow.
C	Eb	F	F#	G	Bb	C	Eb	F	F#	G	Bb	C	Eb	F	F#	G	Bb	C
1+	1ob	2''	2'	2	3'	4+	4ob	5	5ob	6+	6ob	7+	8'+	9	9'+	9+	10''+	10+

Third Position

The D blues scale is: D, F, G, Ab, A, C, D. There are two complete D scales on the C harmonica. click here to hear the avaliable D Blues Scale on a C harp.

D Blues Scale in 3rd Position (C Harp).
Complete scale highlighted in yellow.
C	D	F	G	Ab	A	C	D	F	G	Ab	A	C	D	F	G	Ab	A	C
1+	1	2''	2	3'''	3''	4+	4	5	6+	6'	6	7+	8	9	9+	9od	10	10+