Lesson 4: Scales

Modes of the Major Scale

Modes are scales derived starting from every note of a parent scale. In this case we are using the major scale. Example C major

C Ionian - C D E F G A B C [ Maj 7 ]

D Dorian - D E F G A B C D [ Min 7 ]

E Phrygian - E F G A B C D E [ Min 7 / 7 susb9 ]

F Lydian - F G A B C D E F [ Maj 7 #11 ]

G Mixolydian - G A B C D E F G [ 7 ]

A Aeolian - A B C D E F G A [ Min 7 b13 ]

B Locrian - B C D E F G A B [ Min 7 b5 ]

Note: The 4th note of a major scale is an avoid note and is often raised.

Modes Of The Melodic Minor

A Melodic Minor - A B C D E F# G# A [ Min/Maj 7 ]

B Dorian b2 - B C D E F# G# A B [ Min 7 / Sus b9 ]

C Lydian Augmented - C D E F# G# A B C [ Maj 7 #5 ]

D Lydian Dominant - D E F# G# A B C D [ 7 #11 ]

E Mixolydian b6 - E F# G# A B C D [ 7 b13 ]

F# Locrian Natural 2 - F# G# A B C D E F# [ Min 7 b5 ]

G# Altered Mode - G# A B C D E F# G# [ 7 b9 #9 #11 b13 ] <---- I know... wow.

Other Scales

C Half Whole Diminished - C Db Eb E F# G A Bb

C Whole Half Diminished - C D Eb F F# G# A B

C Whole Tone - C D E F# G# A#

Bop Scales

Bebop Dorian - D E F F# G A B C D

Bebop Mixolydian - G A B C D E F F# G

Bebop Major - C D E F G G# A B C

Bebop Melodic Minor - A B C D E F F# G# A

*** are added tones

From Chords to Scales

The easiest way to construct a scale you're not sure of is to take a chord written horizontally,

C7 C7 b9 b13

A Ab

F F

D Db

Bb Bb

G G

E E

C C

and write it in one octave.

The first scale is : C D E F G A Bb C [Mixolydian]

The second is : C Db E F G Ab Bb C [Mixolydian b2 b6]

Notes that are not specified in the chord itself are subjective however altered tones will cause tension.

What works?

Here are some tricks that work and can make improvisation easier.

• You can play a dorian over an entire ii-V-I
• Locrian Natural 2 over minor ii-V's
• Lydian over major chords
• Half Whole diminished or Mixolydian over dominant chords

You can also use three different pentatonic scales over a ii-V-I. The one, four and five. In Cmaj it would be:

C D E G A [1]

F G A C D [4]

G A B D E [5]

Over Dmin7 - G7 - CMaj7

Another cool scale is the IN SEN Pentatonic.

In C it would be E F A B D, it has an asian flavour to it and would work well over a dom7 or dom7b9 chord.

The Chromatic scale is also a possibility, but over using it sounds watered dow and tasteless.

Note: Because the Melodic Minor scale has no avoid notes any pattern can be played on any chord derived from that scale.

How To Practice Scales

• Learn scales in all 12 keys.
• Practise sequences in every key
• Practise scales in different intervals like :1-3-2-4-3-5-4-6-5-7-6-1-7-2-1

You can use the continuous scale exercise to practise soloing with scales. You simply play quarters or eighths and start on any note from the first chord and play the scale, when the chord changes you change your scale to the scale of the new chord. Practise ascending and descending.

Ex

Ami7 - D7b9 - Gmi7 - C7

C D E F# - G A B C - D E F G -A Bb C D