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

Formula and map

• Formula: 1-♭3-4-♭5-5-♭7.
• Notes: F-Ab-Bb-B-C-Eb.
• The minor pentatonic is F-Ab-Bb-C-Eb; B connects Bb to C.

Useful fingering

• Right hand up: 1-2-3-4-1-2-3. Down: 3-2-1-4-3-2-1.
• Left hand up: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2. Down: 2-3-1-2-3-4-5.
• Isolate Bb-B-C first, then place it inside the full octave.

Do it, use it, understand it

1. Do it: play Bb-B-C slowly, with every note equally clear.
2. Use it: over F7-Bb7-C7, alternate an ascending phrase with a descending one and leave space.
3. Understand it: B is ♭5 and creates tension because it lies between the support notes Bb and C.
4. Listen: in B.B. King's “The Thrill Is Gone,” notice how phrases do not fill every beat; listen for that economy without assigning this key to the recording.

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 F.

Common mistakes

• Do not confuse Bb with B: they appear next to each other but have different roles.
• As an initial practice, move B toward Bb or C to hear its resolution.
• Do not rush the thumb crossing: establish a clear note from each finger first.

Checklist

• I can distinguish Bb-B-C clearly.
• I can play one octave in both directions with an even pulse.
• I use B to connect, not to close every phrase.
• I leave an intentional rest between phrases.