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
Are You Experienced — original UK album · 1967 · Original album studio recording
Playing level: intermediate · Theory level: beginner
Start with the B-shaped blues box at fret 7. In E-flat tuning the home note sounds B♭.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| B♭ Minor Pentatonic | B♭ · D♭ · E♭ · F · A♭ | 1 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭7 | Listening guide |
| B♭ Major Pentatonic | B♭ · C · D · F · G | 1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 6 | Listening guide |
Solo breakdown
Main solo
Guitar: Jimi Hendrix
Where is this solo?
The opening electric lead in the original UK studio recording, before the first vocal. Other studio takes and live performances differ.
B♭ Minor Pentatonic
Listening guide
B♭ minor pentatonic gives the sounding notes of the minor blues shape in the lesson.
B♭ · D♭ · E♭ · F · A♭
◎ Outlined dots = B♭, the home note.
E-flat standard tuning (teaching setup) · frets 7–10 · 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 7: B♭, interval 1, root
- String 1, fret 10: D♭, interval ♭3
- String 2, fret 7: F, interval 5
- String 2, fret 10: A♭, interval ♭7
- String 3, fret 7: D♭, interval ♭3
- String 3, fret 9: E♭, interval 4
- String 4, fret 7: A♭, interval ♭7
- String 4, fret 9: B♭, interval 1, root
- String 5, fret 7: E♭, interval 4
- String 5, fret 9: F, interval 5
- String 6, fret 7: B♭, interval 1, root
- String 6, fret 10: D♭, interval ♭3
More about these scales
B♭ Minor Pentatonic Listening guide
B♭ minor pentatonic gives the sounding notes of the minor blues shape in the lesson.
B♭ · D♭ · E♭ · F · A♭
B♭ Major Pentatonic Listening guide
Compare B♭ major pentatonic for a brighter answer. The map keeps the same sounding home note.
B♭ · C · D · F · G
How the chords shape the solo
Chords and note choices
Listen for the landing note
Listening idea A B7 shape played on a guitar tuned down half a step sounds B♭7. That chord contains D, while B♭ minor pentatonic contains D♭. Comparing the two notes helps you hear the major/minor blues colour.
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 B♭ Minor Pentatonic and play B♭–D♭–F slowly. Then choose B♭ Major Pentatonic and play B♭–D–F. End both ideas on B♭ and leave a pause.
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.