In one sentence: Bb minor pentatonic with E natural, a passing blue note between Eb and F.

Formula and map

• Formula: 1-♭3-4-♭5-5-♭7.
• Notes: Bb-Db-Eb-E-F-Ab.
• The minor pentatonic is Bb-Db-Eb-F-Ab; add E only to move between Eb and F.

Useful fingering

• Right hand up: 2-3-4-1-2-3-4. Down: 4-3-2-1-4-3-2.
• Left hand up: 4-3-2-1-4-3-2. Down: 2-3-4-1-2-3-4.
• Make the thumb crossing slowly, then keep the pulse steady before adding speed.

Do it, use it, understand it

1. Do it: repeat Eb-E-F without leaning on E.
2. Use it: over Bb7-Eb7-F7, make two- or three-note phrases and answer after a rest.
3. Understand it: E rubs against its neighbors, so it works best as motion rather than a resting point.
4. Listen: in B.B. King's “The Thrill Is Gone,” notice the rests and short answers; listen for phrasing without treating the recording's key as this scale.

Listening and context

Minor-blues vocabulary travelled from singing and acoustic guitar to electric bands. Listen to B.B. King or Muddy Waters for phrasing and the blue note; they are style references, not pitch maps for Bb.

Common mistakes

• Do not skip E because it is a white key between flats: it is this map's blue note.
• As an initial practice, keep E moving and try resolving to Eb or F.
• Do not turn the scale into a run: leave a rest before repeating an idea.

Checklist

• I can find E between Eb and F.
• I can play one octave in both hands with a steady pulse.
• I use Eb-E-F as a passing gesture, not a closing gesture.
• I can make a call and response with rests.