A Better Way to Learn Scales (For Improvisation)

A basic scale has seven notes:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

And most people learn and practice their scales from bottom to top:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Here's a better way...

Step 1: Divide the scale into two groups:

Group A: 1 3 5 7 (chord tones)

Group B: 2 4 6 (extensions)

Step 2: Memorize and get comfortable with the notes in Group A.

Don't even bother with Group B until you're able to play different permutations of Group A:

1 3 5 7

3 1 7 5

7 1 3 5

5 3 1 7

And so on.

Step 3: Do the same with Group B.

2 4 6

4 6 2

6 2 4

And so on.

Step 4: Come up with combinations using Group A and B.

1 5 4 2 6 3 7

2 3 4 1 6 7 5

5 4 1 7 2 3 6

And so on.

The whole point of this approach is to emphasize the importance of the chord tones: 1 3 5 7.

Practicing in the traditional bottom-to-top sequence (1 2 3 4 5 6 7) makes no sense from a hierarchical standpoint. The second scale degree should not be more familiar than the third or the fifth because it is not as fundamental to the chord.

Playing up and down the scale in stepwise motion is more of a muscle memory exercise than anything else.

You're much better off working your mind muscle than your finger muscles, especially if you want to get better at improvising.

And if you do want to improve your solos, I highly recommend improvising with just the notes in Group A. This approach is called chord-tone soloing, and it's one of the best ways to “make the changes” and memorize chord progressions.

Just know these kinds of solos can sound kinda sad if you're a beginner or intermediate improviser.

Not to worry – I've got a bangin’ resource for you that will help you come up with pro-level chord tone solos...

Chord Tone Magic is a collection of chord tone etudes over the most popular jazz standards, including Fly Me to the Moon, Sunny Side of the Street, and Spain. I've also added bonus videos in which I analyze my compositional thought process behind the solos.

Best of all, this weekend you can get your copy of Chord Tone Magic for 20% off when you enter code WEEKENDMAGIC at checkout.

Click here to learn more about Chord Tone Magic and enter code WEEKENDMAGIC at checkout to save 20%.

Happy Shedding,

Jeff