2020/4/28 Gmail - Jazz scales explained

Dickson Donald <dofeportdickson19@gmail.com>

Jazz scales explained

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Julian Bradley <julian@jazztutorial.com> 2020年4月25日 下午10:04

回复：Julian Bradley <julian@jazztutorial.com>
收件人：dofeportdickson19@gmail.com

Hi Donald,

I'm often asked:

"How do you know which scale to play when you see a chord?"

Well in jazz, there's never just one scale you're limited to...

For every chord, there's multiple scales that will work.

But to start, here's the method I suggest you use:

1. Identify the 'chord tones' of the chord (1 3 5 7) and put these in your scale.

2. Add a whole-step above the 1, 3 and 5, to give your scale its 2, 4 and 6.

I call it the 'chord tone plus whole-step method'.

Examples:
So let's say you see a C minor 7 chord:

Start by finding the chord tones - C Eb G Bb.

Next, add a whole-step above the 1, 3 and 5 - which would give you D F A:

The scale you end up playing is C Dorian scale - C D Eb F G A Bb.

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Now let's say you see a C major 7 chord:

Start by finding the chord tones - C E G B.

Next, add a whole-step above the 1, 3 and 5 - which gives you D F# A:

The scale you end up playing is C Lydian scale - C D E F# G A B.

Now let's say you see a C7 chord:

Start by finding the chord tones - C E G Bb.

Next, add a whole-step above the 1, 3 and 5 - which gives you D F# A:

The scale you end up playing is C Lydian-Dominant scale - C D E F# G A Bb.

This method works for any chord type - including half-diminished chords,
diminished 7 chords, minor-major 7 chords, and so on.

This isn't just a beginner trick - I still use it for most of my playing, and it
generates sophisticated jazz scales every time.

NOTE: In jazz it's common to change scale over every single chord. Jazz
doesn't stay in the same key like other styles of music, so you'll find yourself
repeating this scale generating process for every single chord.

Practice Tip:
Play through your favorite jazz song. Play the chord symbols in your left hand

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(basic voicings are fine), and in your right hand, run up and down the
appropriate scale (using the 'chord tone + whole-step' method we just
discussed) - like this:

Video Lesson:
To see me using this technique in action, I made a video tutorial here:

Click here to watch Jazz Scales Lesson

I hope this lesson helps demystify jazz scales!

Your friend,

Julian

Jazz Tutorial
PO Box 71131
Riverside, CA 92513-1131

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