<P> The term blues scale refers to several different scales with differing numbers of pitches and related characteristics . </P> <P> The hexatonic, or six - note, blues scale consists of the minor pentatonic scale plus the ♭ 5th degree of the original heptatonic scale . This added note can be spelled as either a ♭ 5 or a ♯ 4 . </P> <P> A major feature of the blues scale is the use of blue notes; however, since blue notes are considered alternative inflections, a blues scale may be considered to not fit the traditional definition of a scale . At its most basic, a single version of this blues scale is commonly used over all changes (or chords) in a twelve bar blues progression . Likewise, in contemporary jazz theory, its use is commonly based upon the key rather than the individual chord . The evolution of this scale may be traced back to Asia (pentatonic major) through native North America (pentatonic minor) with the addition of the flat 5 blue note (slave trade / Africa). </P>

Is the minor pentatonic scale the same as the blues scale