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Welcome to the jazz guitar scale guide, great to have you here!
Before you start, here are some pointers on how to practice these scales from a
technical and soloing perspective.
Here are the four directions to practice these scales with a metronome as you
work them in 12 keys.
As well, here are ways to practice soloing with these scale in your studies.
Now that you’re armed with practice tools, time to get these scales into your hands,
ears, and onto the fretboard.
Minor Bebop Scale – m7 Chords
The first scale that you learn in this jazz guitar scales guide is the minor bebop
scale.
This scale is commonly used over the iim7 and Im7 chords in both iim7-V7-Imaj7
and iim7b5-V7alt-Im7 progressions.
The minor bebop scale is built by adding a major 7 passing tone to the Dorian
mode.
R-2-b3-4-5-6-b7-7-R
As you can see, this scale has the m7 arpeggio, 1-b3-5-b7, 3 color notes, 2-4-6,
and the 7 passing note.
Here are examples of chords that work with the minor bebop scale.
• minor
• m7
• m6
• m9
• m6/9
• m11
Now that you know how to build and use the minor bebop scale, here are tips on
how to practice this scale to get the most out of it in the woodshed.
• Learn 1 shape from memory, work in 12 keys.
• Solo over a m7 backing track with that scale shape.
• Sing along for added benefit.
• Repeat with 2nd scale shape.
• Mix both scale shapes together in your m7 soloing.
And, here’s the fun part, grab your guitar and get this scale under your fingers!
Note: There’s a shift halfway up this scale. To make that shift smooth, use your
index finger on the lowest and middle root notes.
Dominant Bebop Scale – 7th Chords
The next scale that you learn in this jazz guitar scales guide is the dominant bebop
scale.
This scale is commonly used over 7th chords in both iim7-V7-Imaj7 and jazz blues
progressions, for example.
The dominant bebop scale is built by adding a major 7 passing tone to the
Mixolydian mode.
R-2-3-4-5-6-b7-7-R
As you can see, this scale has the 7th arpeggio, 1-3-5-b7, 3 color notes, 2-4-6, and
the 7 passing note.
Here are examples of chords that work with the dominant bebop scale.
• 7th
• 9th
• 13th
• 7sus4
Now that you know how to build and use the dominant bebop scale, here are tips
on how to practice this scale to get the most out of it in the woodshed.
• Learn 1 shape from memory, work in 12 keys.
• Solo over a 7th backing track with that scale shape.
• Sing along for added benefit.
• Repeat with 2nd scale shape.
• Mix both scale shapes together in your 7th soloing.
And, here’s the fun part, grab your guitar and get this scale under your fingers!
Note: There’s a shift halfway up this scale. To make that shift smooth, use your
middle finger on the lowest and middle root notes on the 6 th string shape. Then
use your middle then index on the lowest two roots from the 5 th string.
Major Bebop Scale – maj7 Chords
The next scale that you learn in this jazz guitar scales guide is the major bebop
scale.
This scale is commonly used over maj7th chords in the iim7-V7-Imaj7 progression.
The major bebop scale is built by adding a #5 passing tone to the major scale.
R-2-3-4-5-#5-6-7-R
As you can see, this scale has the maj7th arpeggio, 1-3-5-7, 3 color notes, 2-4-6,
and the #5 passing note.
Here are examples of chords that work with the major bebop scale.
• major
• maj7
• 6th
• maj9
• 6/9
• maj7sus4
Now that you know how to build and use the major bebop scale, here are tips on
how to practice this scale to get the most out of it in the woodshed.
• Learn 1 shape from memory, work in 12 keys.
• Solo over a maj7th backing track with that scale shape.
• Sing along for added benefit.
• Repeat with 2nd scale shape.
• Mix both scale shapes together in your maj7th soloing.
And, here’s the fun part, grab your guitar and get this scale under your fingers!
Note: There’s a shift halfway up this scale. To make that shift smooth, use your
middle finger on the lowest and middle root notes on the 6 th string shape. Then
use your middle then index on the lowest two roots from the 5 th string.
Locrian Bebop Scale – m7b5 Chords
The next scale that you learn in this jazz guitar scales guide is the Locrian bebop
scale.
The Locrian bebop scale is built by adding a major 7 passing tone to the Locrian
mode.
R-b2-b3-4-b5-b6-b7-7-R
As you can see, this scale has the m7b5 arpeggio, 1-b3-b5-b7, 3 color notes, bb2-
4-6, and the 7 passing note.
Here are examples of chords that work with the Locrian bebop scale.
• m7b5
• m11b5
Now that you know how to build and use the Locrian bebop scale, here are tips on
how to practice this scale to get the most out of it in the woodshed.
And, here’s the fun part, grab your guitar and get this scale under your fingers!
Note: There’s a shift halfway up this scale. To make that shift smooth, use your
index finger on the lowest and middle root notes.
Altered Bebop Scale – 7alt Chords
The last scale that you learn in this jazz guitar scales guide is the altered bebop
scale.
This scale is commonly used over 7alt chords in the iim7b5-V7alt-Im7 progression.
The major bebop scale is built by adding a major 7 passing tone to the Phrygian
dominant mode.
R-b2-3-4-5-b6-b7-7-R
As you can see, this scale has the 7th arpeggio, 1-3-5-b7, 3 color notes, b2-4-b6,
and the 7 passing note.
Here are examples of chords that work with the altered bebop scale.
• 7b9
• 7#9
• 7b5
• 7#5
• 7alt
Now that you know how to build and use the altered bebop scale, here are tips on
how to practice this scale to get the most out of it in the woodshed.
• Learn 1 shape from memory, work in 12 keys.
• Solo over a 7alt backing track with that scale shape.
• Sing along for added benefit.
• Repeat with 2nd scale shape.
• Mix both scale shapes together in your 7alt soloing.
And, here’s the fun part, grab your guitar and get this scale under your fingers!
Note: There’s a shift halfway up this scale. To make that shift smooth, use your
middle finger on the lowest and middle root notes on the 6th string shape. Then
use your middle then index on the lowest two roots from the 5 th string.
Where to Go Next
Now that you’ve checked out these jazz guitar scales, and had an in-depth intro to
bebop scales, you’re probably wondering where to go next.
The best way to expand your jazz guitar skill set, and take your playing to the next
level, is to learn and study jazz standards.
Not only do jazz standards teach you new and essential concepts, they do so in a
real, musical situation.
To help you reach your full musical potential, you can use the coupon JAZZ to get
our best-selling Autumn Leaves study guide for only $1.
Check it out, have fun exploring this must-know tune, and keep it up!