Major Blues Scale for violin/fiddle

The major blues scale is an essential part of improvisation for fiddle in many musical styles. In this lesson, using examples from country, bluegrass, jazz and blues, I demonstrate the blues scale in its simplest form, and extended throughout first position, and into higher positions. I also show how, by using "closed position" (with no open strings), it is possible to use a single finger pattern to improvise easily in any key, even the most difficult.
In a subsequent video I will deal with the minor blues scale in the same fashion.
Below are details of further fiddle resources from Chris Haigh
1. Patreon
2. Books
3. Subscription video courses
4. Website
5. Email to request pdf’s.
1. PATREON
This is a platform where anyone can directly help to support creative artists and get closer access to their work. You can join me on Patreon at three levels, for £4, £10 or £40 per month.

At the lowest level you get access to all my pdf’s and tune collections, plus many exclusive tuition videos not available to the public.
At level 2 you can join also me once a month for a group Zoom chat, and can request three backing tracks each month.
Level 3 gives you all the above plus a free lesson once a month, and access to all my backing tracks.
You can find me on Patreon at
/ thefiddlechannel
2. BOOKS
I have eight fiddle tuition books published by Schott, all widely available from the publisher, from Amazon, and many other outlets. All come with audio tracks illustrating the tunes and exercises.
Exploring Jazz Violin
Beginning Jazz Violin
Discovering Rock Violin
Exploring Folk Fiddle
Exploring Klezmer Fiddle
Hungarian Fiddle Tunes
French Fiddle Tunes
Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle
You can order from
bit.ly/31ZWmgm
3. VIDEO SUBSCRIPTION COURSES
I have three video subscription courses
-
MUSIC GURUS- Exploring Jazz Violin. Based on my Schott book
Parts 1 and 2 are each £26 for 26 lessons, covering the first and second halves of the book
Part 1; tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
Part 2 tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Discovering Rock Violin. . Based on my Schott book
£35 for 46 lessons
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
MUSIC GURUS Exploring Country and Bluegrass Fiddle. Based on my Schott book. 31 lessons for £31.99
tidd.ly/3SwHGhb
ACADEMY OF FOLK
Includes a folk fiddle primer course, with introductions to basic techniques and concepts plus an Irish Fiddle Course and Scottish fiddle course. A monthly sub of $9.99 gives access to all lessons
academyoffolk....
4. WEBSITE
My website is probably the most extensive and detailed summary of fiddle styles on the web, as evidenced by the range of top hits on Google for many fiddle styles.
www.fiddlingaround.co.uk
____________________________________________________________
TO REQUEST PDF’S, or ask any questions, CONTACT ME AT
[e-mail]

[@annelottevonk4185]

You are my hero! Im finally starting to get it 🥳

[@kevinoftroy]

So that's the trick! It's ironic that advanced techniques actually make playing easier!

[@terria1254]

Thank-you! Excellent video!!!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

thanks!

[@VIDDLEBANJ]

Took 8 years of pentatonic focus to get here and glad to be here.

[@johntait491]

Once again Chris, a well produced and very informative video. The "closed position" fingering pattern is so adaptable. Thank you. 👍

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks John

[@peterirving9458]

the zoom in on the key signature for F# was hilarious!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

🤣

[@azraialmasumi7205]

Thank you sir for your education

[@eeellll9715]

Amazing tutorial and explanation

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@simongladman5913]

Awesome lesson thank you!

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Simon!

[@michabiaowas-fiddlerskrzyp5240]

Great lesson

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks Michal!

[@JJ-rr4tl]

Thank you, Chris! I'm following your Exploring Jazz course and all your videos are very enriching😊✨🎻

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks. Great to hear that!

[@arianjason7622]

i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a way to get back into an instagram account??
I was stupid lost my login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me.

[@kobeasher4563]

@Arian Jason instablaster :)

[@arianjason7622]

@Kobe Asher Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im trying it out atm.
Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@arianjason7622]

@Kobe Asher it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my account !

[@fiddleexpress-beckfamilyband]

This is awesome 👍

[@TheFiddleChannel]

Thanks!

[@Thejoshrandall]

Hey Chris, thanks for the video. Why is it every other reference to the blues scale is different? It seems the most "official" definition is the one you gave; pentatonic with added b3(1 2 b3 3 5 6). But I've seen definitions and demos as (1 b3 4 b5 b7) (1 b3 4 b5 5 b7) et al. And not a single reference acknowledges that there are other variations. It is utterly frustrating and confusing.

[@TheFiddleChannel]

I absolutely agree! The problem is that the blues was created by people who didn't understand theory, and the scales were written by people who didn't understand blues. There probably is no clear and logical way to explain blues in terms of music theory. I've spent some time analysing melodies and solos from old blues recordings, and you rarely if ever come across a clean and consistent use of a single scale.

[@gustavogebaile597]

Parabéns pelo vídeo !

[@foulnotes5012]

Kendra! Where are you? Come and pick him up..soon..otherwise he sounds minor strings through mouth..