The major blue scale simply slips in an "extra" pitch in comparison to the minor blues scale. This extra pitch is simply a major third above the root, helping to create a major triad for the tonic harmony as well as the cool half step between the "two thirds" contained in this one group of pitches. This half step interval we now add to the other half steps in this group, created by the pitches Four to sharp Four to Five, creating some interesting chromatic possibilities for the creative artist. Starting at the arbitrary top of the cycle of fourths at C, moving by the root motion of the perfect fourth. Suggested song titles for each key are included.
Example 1, C major blues. Check out Duke's "C Jam Blues."
Example 2, F major blues. Monk's "Straight No Chaser."
Example 3, Bb major blues. "Tenor Madness" by Sonny Rollins is a cool blues in Bb.
Example 4, Eb major blues. Important component of the non blues "A Night In Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie.
Example 5, Ab major blues. Perhaps used in approaching the more common key of G blues from a half step above. Duke Ellington's standard "Sophisticated Lady" in Ab major begs repeatedly for a touch a blues.
Example 6, Db major blues. Perhaps try a touch of this color in Bill Strayhorn's "Lush Life."
Example 7, Gb major blues. Try this color as a half step lead in to the more common tonal center of F major.
Example 8, B major blues. Perhaps leading into the more common key of C major from 1 /2 step below.
Example 9, E major blues. Favorite key of Delta blues players globally. Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady" is a classic rock / blues the stretches out the basic 1, 4, 5 harmony all driven to extremes in the key of E.
Example 10. Blues in A is about as common as it gets at the jam sessions.
Example 11, D major blues. Bigtime jamm key for 90's rockers, especially guitar players.
Example 12, G major blues. T. Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday" sums it up.
Any more than 12? Nope. How many pitches in the chromatic scale? Still hungry for melodic food, click minor blues color for the same program.
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"Everything in moderation, even moderation."
Jackie Carr
