Probably another silly beginner question about scales

[Derin]

I'm really sorry if this is a stupid question!

If the 'Blues Scale' is just the minor pentatonic with one added note why should I bother practicing both? Why not just practice only my blues scales at the moment because it covers both...doesn't it? Or am I missing something?

Many thanks

[tormyhk]

Cheers!
It is correct that if you have let us say a blues scale and a minor scale in f.ex A the minor scale will also cover the tones for the blues scale. But trust me, it is very useful to practise both. Your teqnuiqe and feeling develops from doing it. I have found myself doing lots of solos in a minor scale and then blended with blues scale. This often sounds very cool. What I try to say is that if you just practise the minor scale your mind will not focus on anything else to blend your style with. It broadens your own personal teqnuiqe in my opinion to have a good control over the blues scale as well.

Good luck!

[Akira]

The added note in the Blues scale is a diminished 5th, and believe it or not, it does make quite a bit of difference to the sound, even though both the Blues scale and Minor Pentatonic both sound similar. It wouldn't hurt to practise both; it's only another note. :p

[Derin]

Yes I understand...but why not JUST the blues scale as it has ALL the notes?

ie All the notes in the pentatonic PLUS the added note.

I'm guessing the answer is sometimes one might play exclusively within the pentatonic which will give a certain feel...and then playing with the blues scale adds a different 'feel'?

To be honest a lot of my attempts at improv sound the same :(

Anyway, I'll try to keep practicing both.

Thanks