Tune each string down half a step: E♭ · A♭ · D♭ · G♭ · B♭ · E♭, from thickest to thinnest. These fret positions sound different in standard tuning.
About this recording
Texas Flood · 1983 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: advanced · Theory level: beginner
The guitar is tuned down half a step. Start with the E-shaped box at fret 12, whose home note sounds E♭.
The scales at a glance
Compare the notes
Learn these shapes, then see how they help explain each solo below. Some are extra ideas for your own practice.
| Scale | Notes | Intervals | Use in this study |
|---|---|---|---|
| E♭ Minor Pentatonic | E♭ · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · D♭ | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| E♭ Major Pentatonic | E♭ · F · G · B♭ · C | 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 | Listening guide |
| E♭ Mixolydian | E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ | 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7 | Practice idea |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: Stevie Ray Vaughan
Where is this solo?
The featured lead break in the studio recording. The rhythm introduction and live improvisations are separate.
E♭ Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
E♭ minor pentatonic gives a smaller listening guide for the blues lead.
E♭ · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · D♭
◎ Outlined dots = E♭, the home note.
E-flat standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 12–15 · high string 1 at top · toward nut →
These dots show where the scale notes are. They do not show the order of the solo.
Read the note positions
- String 1, fret 12: E♭, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 15: G♭, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 12: B♭, interval 5
- String 2, fret 15: D♭, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 12: G♭, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 14: A♭, interval 4
- String 4, fret 12: D♭, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 14: E♭, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 12: A♭, interval 4
- String 5, fret 14: B♭, interval 5
- String 6, fret 12: E♭, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 15: G♭, interval ♭3
More about these scales
E♭ Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
E♭ minor pentatonic gives a smaller listening guide for the blues lead.
E♭ · G♭ · A♭ · B♭ · D♭
E♭ Major Pentatonic Listening guide
Compare E♭ major pentatonic for the brighter blues sound. Keep E♭ easy to find in both maps.
E♭ · F · G · B♭ · C
E♭ Mixolydian Practice idea
E♭ Mixolydian adds a flat seventh to the major sound. Use it over a separate E♭7 practice chord; the chord symbol alone does not prove every solo note uses this map.
E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea E-flat tuning lowers every open string by a half step. The familiar E blues shape therefore sounds E♭. The map names what you hear; a standard-tuning demonstration uses note names a half step higher.
Technique tips
Technique and phrasing
- bending: A bend raises a note by pushing the string across the fretboard. Play the target note first, then bend a lower note until it matches. Practice suggestion
Practice ideas
Try the ideas yourself
Original practice suggestions; these are not the recorded solo.
Try this slowly
Choose E♭ Minor Pentatonic and play a short phrase. Then choose E♭ Major Pentatonic for a brighter answer. End both on E♭ and leave enough space to tap a steady pulse between them.
Check: You can keep a steady pulse and hear the final note clearly.
A simple practice plan
Put the study into practice
- Listen to the chosen solo and identify its beginning and ending.
- Find the root notes: the notes the scale is named after. Say their names, then play them.
- Add one new note, or aim for a note from the chord. Make a short phrase of your own.
- Listen to the solo again. Can you hear where the phrase comes to rest?
Updated 2026-11-10
This analysis may contain errors or inaccuracies.