Chord Scales
Chord-scale theory is a very useful tool to help
improvisers develop quick arithmetic of go-to 'correct'
notes over fast moving chord changes.
However it does a poor job of explaining what is actually happening in the music.
It is a means to an end, and not the whole truth.
Barry Harris has a much better explanation.
That being said, here are some introductory chord scales:
M7 : Barry Harris Diminished 6th scale :
1 2 3 4 5 b6 6 M7 1
-7 : Dorian Mode :1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 1
7 : Lydian Dominant (4th mode of Jazz Minor) :1 2 3 s4 5 6 b7 1
-6 : Melodic 'Jazz' Minor :1 2 b3 4 5 6 M7 1
-7(b5) : Locrian n 9 (6th
mode of Jazz Minor) : 1 2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 1
7(ALT) : Altered scale (7th mode of Jazz Minor) :1 b2 s2
3 b5 s5 b7
1
ยบ7 : Diminished (Whole-Half) :
improvisers develop quick arithmetic of go-to 'correct'
notes over fast moving chord changes.
However it does a poor job of explaining what is actually happening in the music.
It is a means to an end, and not the whole truth.
Barry Harris has a much better explanation.
That being said, here are some introductory chord scales:
-7 : Dorian Mode :
7 : Lydian Dominant (4th mode of Jazz Minor) :
-6 : Melodic 'Jazz' Minor :
7(ALT) : Altered scale (7th mode of Jazz Minor) :
1
2 b3 4 b5 s5 bb7 M7 1
7(b9) : Diminished Dominant
(Half-Whole) : 1 b2 s2 3 s4
5 6
b7 1
To get started you really only need 3 scales (or modes thereof) :
Major, Jazz Minor, and Diminished.
To get started you really only need 3 scales (or modes thereof) :
Major, Jazz Minor, and Diminished.