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
Start with the G-shaped blues box at fret 3. With the guitar tuned down half a step, its home note sounds F♯, also called G♭.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| F♯ Minor Pentatonic | F♯ · A · B · C♯ · E | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| F♯ Major Pentatonic | F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · C♯ · D♯ | 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 | Listening guide |
| F♯ Minor Blues | F♯ · A · B · C · C♯ · E | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: Stevie Ray Vaughan
Where is this solo?
A featured studio lead chorus on the Texas Flood album. This selection does not refer to an extended live performance.
F♯ Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
F♯ Minor Pentatonic has F♯, A, B, C♯ and E. It uses the same frets as a G minor shape on a guitar tuned down half a step.
F♯ · A · B · C♯ · E
◎ Outlined dots = F♯, the home note.
E-flat standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 3–6 · 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 3: F♯, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 6: A, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 3: C♯, interval 5
- String 2, fret 6: E, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 3: A, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 5: B, interval 4
- String 4, fret 3: E, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 5: F♯, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 3: B, interval 4
- String 5, fret 5: C♯, interval 5
- String 6, fret 3: F♯, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 6: A, interval ♭3
More about these scales
F♯ Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
F♯ Minor Pentatonic has F♯, A, B, C♯ and E. It uses the same frets as a G minor shape on a guitar tuned down half a step.
F♯ · A · B · C♯ · E
F♯ Major Pentatonic Listening guide
Compare F♯ Major Pentatonic with the minor map. Both maps keep F♯ as the home note in E-flat tuning.
F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · C♯ · D♯
F♯ Minor Blues Listening guide
F♯ Minor Blues adds C between B and C♯. Keep that extra note short, then return to B or C♯.
F♯ · A · B · C · C♯ · E
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea A blues chorus is one trip through the chord pattern. Follow one chorus before moving to another. The same home note can support major and minor colours, and a bend can move between the named fret pitches.
Technique tips
Technique and phrasing
- vibrato: Vibrato is a small, repeated change in pitch on a held note. Start with a steady note, then add a small movement and return to the same pitch. Practice suggestion
Practice ideas
Try the ideas yourself
Original practice suggestions; these are not the recorded solo.
Try this slowly
Find F♯ on string 6 at fret 3. Make a two-note phrase ending there, then answer it on the same note on string 1. Let each ending ring before the next phrase.
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.