Blues lead guitar - lesson 5

Blues in the key of A: using a single scale – lesson 5: shape 5.
This is the fifth lesson in the Blues soloing series. The diagram below shows the 5th shape of the scale, played in 2nd position. There are five different main shapes for a certain scale.

Blues in A jam track

"Organ Shuffle"

A blues scale shape diagram 2nd pos

Instructions: The 5th shape of the blues scale "returns" on the fingerboard to the 1st shape (see lesson 1). In other words, it blends with the 1st shape on the 5th and 6th frets. One way to use the 5th shape is when you are using the 1st shape in the 5th position and want to go up on the high frets, but don't want to go all way to the 17th position. In this case may the 5th shape be an alternative on the 14th fret.
This was the last of the five lessons with the concept using a single scale over a single chord. Each lesson has given you knowledge with a new shape and hopefully you have grasped that different ideas can be released by different shapes.
It can be quite monotonous with a single chord and this is mostly a way to start learning soloing without complicate things. The next lesson, however, will take you to the next level in blues improvising.

Jam track info

Instruments: Bass, drums, organ and rhythm guitar
Chords: A7
Tempo: 120 BPM

Blues in A - lesson 4  •  Blues in A - lesson 6

Explanations

Chord and scale - This particular blues jam track is based upon only one chord, the dominant A seventh. The dominant seventh is the most common chord type in blues. The Blues scale (a.k.a. the Pentatonic Blues scale) is as its name imply a perfect choice to use for blues lead guitar.

A7 chord chord intervals and notes.

1 3 5 b7
A C# E G

A Blues scale degrees and notes.

1 b3 4 b5 5 b7
A C D Eb E G

There is not a perfect match between a A7 chord and the A Blues scale, but it will still sound great to use the scale over the chord.