BB King Box in Different Keys: Complete Blues Guitar Guide
Master the iconic BB King box pattern in keys A, C, D, E, and G with interactive fretboard diagrams and tabs
What is the BB King Box?
The BB King Box is one of the most iconic and versatile patterns in blues guitar. Named after the legendary B.B. King, this pattern focuses on the top three strings (G, B, E) and creates a compact, moveable shape that works beautifully over blues progressions.
Key Features:
- Compact Design: Uses only 6 notes across 3 strings, making it easy to navigate
- Moveable Pattern: The same shape works in any key - just move it to the appropriate fret
- Blues-Friendly: Contains the essential blues notes: root, 2nd, minor 3rd, major 3rd, 5th, and 6th
- Bend-Friendly: Perfect for classic blues bends and vibrato techniques
The pattern gets its name because B.B. King used this box extensively in his solos, particularly in the key of A. However, the beauty of this pattern is that it's completely moveable - you can use the same shape in any key by simply shifting it to the appropriate fret position.
How to Use the BB King Box
BB King's signature approach was to use one box position throughout the entire 12-bar blues progression. This creates a cohesive, melodic sound that flows naturally across all chord changes.
The BB King Method
Rather than changing positions for each chord, BB King would stay in the same box and let the chord changes underneath create the harmonic movement. This approach makes the same notes take on different roles:
- • The same notes take on different harmonic roles as the chords change underneath
- • This creates natural tension and resolution throughout the progression
- • The box provides a consistent melodic framework across all chord changes
Alternative Approach
While you can use different box positions for each chord (I, IV, V), this isn't how BB King typically played. The single-box approach is what gives the BB King style its distinctive, flowing character and makes it easier to develop melodic phrases that span the entire progression.
String Bending Technique
String bending is essential to the BB King style. Mastering proper bending technique will bring your blues playing to life.
Understanding Bend Amounts
• ½ bend: Raises the pitch 1 fret higher
• Full bend: Raises the pitch 2 frets higher
• 1½ bend: Raises the pitch 3 frets higher
Example: Bending from a 5 to a 6 requires a full bend because there's a 2-fret difference between these scale degrees.
Practice Method
Step 1: Find and play the target note (where you want the bend to end up)
Step 2: Move to the lower starting note (the note you'll bend from)
Step 3: Bend the starting note until it sounds identical to the target note
Step 4: Practice this repeatedly until you can hit the target pitch consistently
Essential Blues Bends
• 2nd to minor 3rd (♭3): A classic ½ bend that adds bluesy character
• Minor 3rd (♭3) to major 3rd (3): Another essential ½ bend for blues expression
• 5th to 6th: A full bend that adds sweetness and resolution
• 6th to minor 7th (♭7): A ½ bend that creates tension and blues character
• 5th to minor 7th (♭7): A 1½ bend that creates dramatic tension and blues character
These bends are the foundation of BB King's expressive style and should be practiced regularly.
Key of A
Select a Key:
A BB Box
Root note on B string at fret 10
Chord-Scale Relationships
These diagrams show how each note in the BB King Box relates to the three chords in the key. The numbers represent scale degrees relative to each chord, helping you understand which notes work best over each chord in a blues progression. The notes in the Box have a different relationship to each chord - what sounds like a root note over the I chord becomes a different scale degree over the IV and V chords.
The BB King Box is based on the I chord in the progression. To find each box, find the root note of the I chord on the B string. For example, for the key of A, find A on the 10th fret of the B string - that's where the BB King Box is for that key.
Notes to emphasize:
1, 3, 5, 6, ♭7
Notes to use as passing tones:
♭3, 4
Notes to avoid:
♭6 (except when bending from ♭6)
When you click "Show Bent Notes" below, the orange circles with arrows indicate notes that can be reached by bending from the main box notes. These bent notes add expressive possibilities and are commonly used in blues playing to create tension and emotion.
A Chord (I)
D Chord (IV)
E Chord (V)
Practice with Interactive Tabs
Use the interactive tab player below to practice BB King Box exercises. All exercises include the same licks using exclusively the BB King Box. There is an example for keys of A, E and G.
Note: These practice phrases use the BB King Box pattern but do not necessarily sound like BB King's playing style. They are designed to help you become comfortable with the box pattern and develop your own musical voice.
How to Read This Tab
- Standard Notation: The top staff shows traditional music notation for rhythm and pitch.
- Tablature (TAB): The lower staff shows fret numbers for each string—play the indicated fret on the matching string.
- Bend Arrows: Upward arrow (↗) shows bend, downward arrow (↘) shows release.
- Bend Amount: Numbers like 1/4, 1/2, Full, or 1 1/2 show how much to bend the string.
- Vibrato: Squiggly lines indicate vibrato on the note.
- Fingering: Numbers above the top staff suggest which left-hand finger to use (1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky).
Next Steps in Your Blues Journey
Now that you've learned the BB King Box in different keys, here are some ways to continue developing your blues guitar skills:
Blues Licks Exercises
Master essential blues licks with interactive tab player and practice classic blues phrases.
Pentatonic Scales
Learn the foundation of blues soloing with pentatonic scales and their applications.
Picking Technique
Develop essential picking skills for blues guitar playing.
CAGED System
Understand the CAGED system to connect scales and chords across the fretboard.
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