---

The topic of improvisation can be quite overwhelming for jazz students when they consider all the various chords and scales that exist in jazz music. Fortunately, in today’s Quick Tip, The 10 Most Important Jazz Scales, Jonny May helps students get ahead by sharing the “go to” scales that he relies on most often when soloing. You’ll learn:

• Intro to Jazz Scales
• 10 Must-Know Jazz Scales for Improvisation
• More On Essential Jazz Scales

Intro to Jazz Scales

Every discipline contains fundamentals. Whether that discipline is academic, athletic or artistic makes little difference. All disciplines are founded on certain rudimentary concepts and skills that must be mastered if one is to achieve success. For example, mathematics requires proficiency in basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Similarly, baseball requires mastery of throwing and catching as a matter of first importance. Likewise, visual artists must have a command of shapes, lines, textures and colors. So also, the jazz musician must know his or her scales and chords.

“But what are the essential jazz scales?” Even though a comprehensive collection of jazz scales could fill quite an impressive volume, most improvisors gravitate toward a small, subset of “go to” scales for common use. Therefore, the 10 jazz scales in today’s lesson are like the Swiss Army knife for the jazz musician. Although professional jazzers certainly have additional scales in their tool boxes, they keep these scales close at hand.

All of the scales in today’s lesson sheet PDF are demonstrated by beginning on the note C. Keep in mind, that does not mean that all of the scale and examples are in the key of C major. In fact, as we examine different types of C scales, we are consequently and simultaneously implying different types of C chords, each of which have their own specific applications in jazz harmony. If you are already a PWJ member, you can download the lesson sheet PDF and backing tracks from the bottom of this page after logging in with your membership. In addition, members can transpose the lesson sheet examples to any key using our Smart Sheet Music.

10 Must-Know Jazz Scales for Improvisation

In today’s Quick Tip, Jonny presents The 10 Most Important Jazz Scales in the manner of a top ten countdown. This means that the list is somewhat weighed such that the most frequently used scales are presented more toward the end. Nevertheless, jazz musicians regularly use all of the scales on the list.

Here are the 10 Must-Know Jazz Scales that we’ll examine in today’s lesson. In fact, you can click on a scale in this list to navigate directly to that part of the lesson.

As we consider each scale in today’s lesson, we’ll begin with a quick overview containing the scale formula, an example of the scale beginning on the note C and a list of the most common chords symbols associated with the scale in consideration. If there are any alternate names for the given scale, those names will appear in the overview section as well. In addition, we’ve also included a scale hack which presents a special trick for how to remember the given scale in a concise way.

(Note: the scale formula lists how each scale compares to a regular major scale. Therefore, you can construct each jazz scale in this lesson via simple modifications to a major scale.)

Alright, we’re ready to examine our first jazz scale.

#10 – The Lydian Scale

Scale Formula: 1–2–3–♯4–5–6–7

Example: C–D–E–F♯–G–A–B

Chord Symbols: C,  C▵7,  C▵9,  C6/9,  C▵7(♯11),  C▵9(♯11),  D/C

Scale Hack: Think C▵7 + D triad

The Lydian scale is a major scale with a bright sound that comes from its raised fourth tone (the ♯4). Therefore, the C Lydian scale is just like a C major scale, except that if features the note F♯ instead of F♮. When we stack 3rds with the Lydian scale to build extended chords, the #4 actually becomes the ♯11. (Think: 1-3-5-7-9-#11-13). Therefore, the most obvious indicator for the Lydian scale is a major chord suffix that specifically contains the ♯11. However, jazz musicians may also choose to use the Lydian scale even when the chords symbol lacks the specificity of the ♯11. The most common harmonic scenarios for the Lydian scale are on the Ⅳ▵ chord, the ♭Ⅶ▵ chord and the Ⅰ▵ chord in a major key.

C Lydian Scale

C Lydian Improv Example

🔎 For a deep dive on the Lydian scale, check out our course on How to Improvise a Solo with the Lydian Mode (Int, Adv).

---

#9 – The Major Bebop Scale

Scale Formula: 1–2–3–4–5–♯5–6–7

Example: C–D–E–F–G–G♯–A–B

Chord Symbols: C,  C▵7,  C▵9,  C6/9,  C﹢,  C▵7(♯5)

Scale Hack: Think C major scale + ♯5

The Major Bebop scale is an 8-note adaptation of a regular major scale with a chromatic passing tone between the 5th and 6th tones. The passing tone may be written as either ♯5 or ♭6 depending on the direction of the melodic line. The chromatic passing tone serves two purposes for the jazz musician: (1) the additional note allows jazzers to easily improvise eight consecutive 8th notes in a single measure of 4/4 time; (2) the chromatic passing tone adds a touch of melodic tension or “rub.”

C Major Bebop Scale

C Major Bebop Improv Example

🔎 To learn more about bebop scales, check out our Ultimate Guide to Bebop Scales (Beg–Adv).

---

#8 – The Dorian Scale

Scale Formula: 1–2–♭3–4–5–6–♭7

Example: C–D–E♭–F–G–A–B♭

Chord Symbols: Cm,  Cm6,  Cm7,  Cm9,  Cm11,  Cm6/9

Scale Hack: For C Dorian, think F7 + Gm triad

Students with prior training in classical music often think of the natural minor scale as the default minor scale. However, for jazz musicians, the Dorian scale is the preeminent minor scale. Note, the only difference between these two minor scales is that the Dorian scale contains a major 6th (♮6) whereas the natural minor scale contains a minor 6th (♭6).

Since the Dorian scale comes from the 2nd mode of the Major scale, it is the parent scale for the Ⅱm7 chord in a 2-5-1 chord progression. In addition, jazz musicians sometimes use the Dorian scale for the Ⅲm7 and the Ⅵm7 in major. Moreover, the Dorian scale is also commonly the “go to” scale for the tonic Ⅰm6 or Ⅰm7 chord in a minor key.

C Dorian Scale

C Dorian Improv Example

🔎 For a deep dive on the Dorian scale, check out our course on How to Improvise a Solo with the Dorian Mode (Int, Adv).

---

#7 – The Minor Bebop Scale

Alternate Name: The Dorian Bebop Scale

Scale Formula: 1–2–♭3–4–5–6–♭7–♮7

Example: C–D–E♭–F–G–A–B♭–B♮

Chord Symbols: Cm,  Cm6,  Cm7,  Cm9,  Cm11,  Cm6/9,  Cm(▵7)

Scale Hack: Think Cm7 + Dm6

The Minor Bebop scale is an 8-note adaptation of a Dorian scale with a chromatic passing tone between the ♭7 and the root. The chromatic passing tone serves two purposes for the jazz musician: (1) the additional note allows jazzers to easily improvise eight consecutive 8th notes in a single measure of 4/4 time; (2) the chromatic passing tone adds a touch of melodic tension or “rub.”

C Minor Bebop Scale

C Minor Bebop Improv Example

🔎 For a deep dive on how to improvise with bebop scales, check out our course on 2-5-1 Soloing with Bebop Scales (Adv).

---

#6 – The Mixolydian Scale

Scale Formula: 1–2–3–4–5–6–♭7

Example: C–D–E–F–G–A–B♭

Chord Symbols: C7,  C9,  C13,  C7(sus4),  C9(sus4),  C13(sus4)

Scale Hack: Think C7 + Dm triad

The Mixolydian scale is the default jazz scale for “pure,” unaltered dominant chords like C7, C9 and C13. In addition, jazz musicians also use the Mixolydian scale to improvise over Dominant “sus chords” like C7(sus4), C9(sus4) and C13(sus4).

C Mixolydian Scale

C Mixolydian Improv Example

🔎 For a deep dive on the Mixolydian scale, check out our course on How to Improvise a Solo with the Mixolydian Mode (Int, Adv).

---

#5 – The Dominant Diminished Scale

Alternate Name: The Half-Whole Diminished Scale

Scale Formula: 1–♭2–♯2–3–♯4–5–6–♭7

Example: C–D♭–D♯–E–F♯–G–A–B♭

Chord Symbols: C7,  C13(♭9),  C7(♭9),  C7(♯9),  C7(♭9♯11),  C13(♭9♯11)

Scale Hack: Think Half-Whole, Half-Whole…etc.

The Dominant Diminished scale is a colorful, 8-note scale that contains an exotic combination of dominant chord extensions (the 13th) and alterations (♭9, ♯9, ♯11). The scale is constructed from an alternating pattern of half steps and whole steps…beginning with a half step. The overview section above lists several dominant chord suffixes with alterations that can suggest or even specify the Dominant Diminished scale. However, more often than not, jazz musicians simply elect to apply the sound of this scale over ordinary dominant 7th chords to deliberately create additional tension.

C Dominant Diminished Scale

C Dominant Diminished Improv Example

To learn more about the Dominant Diminished scale, check out our Quick Tip on The Diminished Scale Demystified (Int).

---

#4 – The Altered Scale

Alternate Names: Altered Dominant, Fully Altered, Super Locrian or Diminished Whole Tone Scale

Scale Formula: 1–♭2–♯2–3–♭5–♯5–♭7

Example: C–D♭–D♯–E–G♭–G♯–B♭

Chords: C7(♯9♭13),  C7(♭9♯11),  C7(♭9♯9♭13)

Scale Hack: First 3 notes of C Dominant Diminished + E Whole Tone Scale

The Altered Scale is often referred to as the “Fully Altered” scale because it literally contains all four of the available chord alterations (♭9, ♯9, ♯11, ♭13…or enharmonically ♭9, ♯9, ♭5, ♯5 ). This separates the Altered scale from other dominants scales with alterations in that no other dominant scale contains all four alterations.

The Altered scale comes from the 7th mode of the melodic minor scale. For example, if you look closely at the examples below, you’ll see that the C Altered scale ( C–D♭–D♯–E–G♭–G♯–B♭) is in fact the 7th mode of D♭ melodic minor (D♭–E♭–F♭–G♭–A♭–B♭–C), although it would rarely be written with such an awkward enharmonic spelling in actual use. Instead, the easiest way to build an Altered scale is to start with a R-3-7 dominant 7th chord shell (i.e.: C–E–B♭) and then add the four alterations…two altered 9ths (♭9, ♯9) and two altered 5ths (♭5, ♯5).

C Altered Scale

C Altered Improv Example

🔎 To learn more about the Altered scale, check out our Quick Tip on The Altered Scale – The Complete Guide (Int).

---

#3 – The Diminished Scale

Alternate Name: The Whole-Half Diminished Scale

Scale Formula: 1–2–♭3–4–♭5–♭6–♮6–7

Example: C–D–E♭–F–G♭–A♭–A♮–B

Chords: Cº7 (also E♭º7,  G♭º7,  Aº7)

Scale Hack: Think Cº7 + Dº7

The Diminished scale (aka The Whole-Half Diminished Scale) is an 8-note scale that is based on an alternating pattern of whole steps and half steps….beginning with a whole step. Since the intervallic pattern is consistent and recurring, the Diminished scale is considered to be a symmetrical scale, which is also described as a scale of limited transposition. This means that there are not 12 unique Diminished scales like most other scales. Instead there are only three: (1) one on the note C, (2) one on the note C♯, (3) and another on the note D. All other potential starting notes end up recycling one of those three unique Diminished scale transpositions. For instance, the C Diminished scale, the E♭ Diminished scale,  G♭ Diminished scale and  Aº7 Diminished scale all contain the exact same pitches.

Jazz musicians use the Whole-Half Diminished scale to improvise over fully diminished 7th chords. One harmonic context where this is frequently applicable is when we encounter a ♭Ⅲº7 chord that resolves down to the Ⅱm7 chord (see Improv Example below).

C Diminished Scale

C Diminished Improv Example

🔎 To learn more about symmetrical scales vs asymmetrical scales, visit the Appendix to our Quick Tip on The Diminished Scale Demystified (Int).

---

#2 – The Half-Diminished Scale

Alternate Names: The Locrian ♯2 Scale, The Locrian ♮2 Scale

Scale Formula: 1–♮2–♭3–4–♭5–♭6–♭7

Scale Formula: C–D♮–E♭–F–G♭–A♭–B♭

Chords: Cø7 (especially as ⅱø7 in a minor 2-5-1 progression)

Scale Hack: For C Half-Diminished, think 7th mode of D♭ major, with a natural 2 (yes, the note D♮).

The Half-Diminished scale is a hip and mysterious sounding improv scale that jazz musicians frequently use to solo over a Ⅱø7 chord in a minor 2-5-1 chord progression. This scale is similar to a Locrian scale, albeit with a raised 2nd degree. Therefore, another name for the Half-Diminished scale is the Locrian ♯2 scale or the Locrian ♮2 scale.

C Half-Diminished Scale

C Half-Diminished Improv Example

🔎 To learn more about the Half-Diminished scale, check out our Quick Tip on Jazz Piano Improv with the Melodic Minor Scale (Int/Adv).

---

#1 – The Mixo-Blues Scale

Alternate Names: The Mixo-Dorian Blues Scale

Scale Formula: 1–2–♭3–♮3–4–♯4–5–6–♭7

Example: C–D–E♭–E♮–F–F♯–G–A–B♭

Chords: C7(♯9),  C7(♯11),  C9(♯11),  C13(♯9),  C13(♯11)

Scale Hack: Think C Major Blues Scale + C Minor Blues Scale

The Mixo-Blues scale is a 9-note hybrid scale used in blues and jazz improvisation that combines the Mixolydian scale and the Minor Blues scale. However, an even easier method for constructing a Mixo-Blues scale is to combine the notes of the major blues scale and the minor blues scale beginning on the same starting note.

The Mixo-Blues scale is a versatile improv scale that sounds great over a variety of primary and secondary chords in the overall parent key, especially in a bluesy context. For instance, in the improv example below, Jonny uses the C Mixo-Blues scale to solo over the entire A section of “Georgia On My Mind.”

C Mixo-Blues Scale

C Mixo-Blues Improv Example

🔎 To learn more about the Mixo-Blues scale, check out our Quick Tip on Mixo-Blues Scale for Piano – The Complete Guide (Int).

---

More On Essential Jazz Scales

In today’s lesson, we’ve examined Jonny’s list of The 10 Most Important Jazz Scales. For students who wants to investigate this topic even further, we’ve compiled the following reference table which shows various jazz scales organized into respective categories based on their properties and characteristics. You can click on each sub-headings in the chart below to learn more about each category.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you’ve completed today’s lesson on The 10 Most Important Jazz Scales. You are now on your way to mastering chord/scale relationships for jazz improvisation!

If you enjoyed today’s lesson, then be sure to check out the following PWJ resources:

---

Share This