In this blog post, we will talk about some of the most important jazz scales that you need to know. We will also talk about the harmonic contexts in which you can use them for improvisation during your learning or practice sessions. It does not matter whether you play the piano, guitar, saxophone, bass, trumpet or kazoo. The scales are very important for all instruments. While we don’t want to sound as if we are playing scales as we improvise, it is, however, important to know the notes that will be consonant with every chord.
Ionian or major scale
This scale is consonant over the major jazz chords. A good example is a C major scale that corresponds with the C major chord.
Phrygian minor scale
The Phrygian mode is one of the least common minor scales you can use for jazz improvisation of the five types of jazz minor scales. You can use them along with the harmonic minor.
Dorian minor scale
When learning jazz scales, this should be one of the scales you need to learn. The Dorian minor scale is a natural 6, b3, and b7. This is the most commonly used minor scale in jazz music when it comes to improvisation. The scale works over any I chord or ii chord but it can also be used for minor chords such as the VI chord and the ii chord.
Lydian major
The most obvious example of the Lydia scale is an IV chord. However, the Lydian mode can also do well over I chord. The scale is the brightest of other church modes. It also has a distinct and modern flavor over I chord as it is a non-diatonic.
Mixolydian scale
This is one of the most basic jazz scales for improvisation over a V7 chord. You can also alter it, use the whole tone scale or the half-whole diminished scale.
