Avoid notes for modes of the major scale

Scale degree Chord Mode Avoid note Available tensions

1 Cmaj7 Ionian Fourth scale step, F 9, 13

2 Dm7 Dorian Sixth scale step, B 9, 11

3 Em7 Phrygian Second and sixth scale steps, F and C 11

4 Fmaj7 Lydian No avoid note 9, ♯11, 13

5 G7 Mixolydian Fourth scale step, C 9, 13

6 Am7 Aeolian Sixth scale step, F 9, 11

7 Bø7 Locrian Second scale step, C 11, ♭13

Avoid notes for modes of the melodic minor scale

 Scale degree Chord Mode Avoid note Available tensions

No avoid
1 CmΔ Ionian, ♭3 9, 11, 13
note

No avoid
2 Dm7 Dorian, ♭2 11, 13
notes

Sixth scale
3 E♭augΔ Lydian #5 9, ♯11
step, C

No avoid
4 F7 Lydian, ♭7 9, ♯11, 13
note

Fourth step
5 G7 Mixolydian ♭6 9, 11
C

No avoid
6 Am7/♭5 Locrian, ♯2 9, 11, ♭13
note

No avoid (usually played as

7 Bm7/♭5 Super Locrian
note altered dominant)
 Avoid notes for modes of the Harmonic minor scale

Available
Scale degree Chord Mode Avoid note
tensions

Harmonic No avoid
1 CmΔ 9, 11, 13
minor note

Mixolydian Second scale

5 G7 #5 b9 11, 13
b2 b6 step, E♭

Note: The Symmetrical, whole-tone and the diminished scales have no avoid notes.