Scale Comparison
Pick two scales and a root note to see exactly which intervals they share and where they diverge.
vs
Quick:
All 12 notes — from A
AR
A#b2
B2
Cb3
C#3
D4
D#b5
E5
Fb6
F#6
Gb7
G#7
Pentatonic Minor only (0)Blues only (1)Shared (5)
Scale A
A Pentatonic Minor
ACDEG
R b3 4 5 b7
The most popular scale for rock and blues guitar solos.
Open on fretboard →Scale B
A Blues
ACDD#EG
R b3 4 b5 5 b7
Pentatonic minor with a b5 'blue note'. Essential for blues.
Open on fretboard →Interval differences
Only in Pentatonic Minor (0 notes)
All notes shared with the other scale
Only in Blues (1 note)
D# (b5)
Pentatonic Minor vs Blues: What changes?
Adding the ♭5 blue note to the Minor Pentatonic creates the Blues Scale.
Mood difference
The blues scale has more grit and expressive tension than the clean minor pentatonic.
Harmonic function
The ♭5 is a chromatic passing tone between the 4th and 5th. It creates tension that resolves beautifully to either neighbour.