wondering about jazz scales..

[SpecialEd]

To make things kind of simple (this is a subject that is hard to make simple)
the Blues Scale is spelled out as

root, flat 3, 4th, flat 5, flat 7, octive

take the Cmaj scale
CDEFGABC the blues scale of this would read
C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C

you can apply this to any major scale

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally posted by uhdum
Two common jazz scales are the dorian mode and the mixolydian mode. The Dorian mode, in the key of C, is simply a C major scale starting on D, while the Mixolydian would be a C major scale starting on G. These two scales are common in jazz.

Well - they are just "modes" of the Major scale which is common in just about every type of music - not just Jazz!

Whereas diminished and whole tone scales are very rarely used other than in Jazz.

 

[moley]

Originally posted by Bruce
and whole tone scales are very rarely used other than in Jazz.

That and the Simpsons theme

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Well - Lisa's sax break is Jazz!!

 

[moley]

Originally posted by Bruce
Well - Lisa's sax break is Jazz!!

LMAO, tenuous.

 

[Howard K]

...but find that find easyest to relate each scale the the possision of my fingers. so if i learn c major i find it easy to play it in every key...

This works in theory, but you really need to understand the actual notes in each key and think in terms of actual notes rather than fingerboard patterns.

I'm only just starting to focus on this myself, it's a mammoth life long task, but there are ways of helping you remember.

I only recently leanrt my major scale modes, by relating them to the parent major scale, to the corresponding chord shape and to the general tonality of the mode (ie, major or minor sounding?)

I help it finds to write down scales and modes to visualise the 'patterns' then pick a key a day and play through each mode singing the names of the notes as you go. This will take say 15 mins per day maximum once you can find the notes easily.

I'm starting on harmonic minor modes now... complex but cool!

As for diminished and whole tone scales - sheesh. I know they exist and know a little about them, but as for learning whole tone scale modes - forget about it

PS. I now know what Pacman meant the other day when he said that he was of the school that considered lydian mode the true major scale

 

[BlacksHole]

I'm not sure what you mean by whole tone scale modes. Since there are only whole steps in the whole tone scale, the idea of a different mode is not clear to me. It seems that you have either the whole tone scale starting that includes C or the one that includes B.
As for the Lydian mode, I find it useful and all, but at least you can properly have a 1-4-5 progression and suspended chords in the Ionian.

 

[Howard K]

I'm not sure what you mean by whole tone scale modes. Since there are only whole steps in the whole tone scale, the idea of a different mode is not clear to me.

It was a joke!

 

[Boplicity]

Originally posted by Squice
But I was wondering if there are any scales that are more used than others in jazz.

Revisting this part of the original post and in an effort to simplify the answer, I would say that if you are referring to scales used in jazz, I will quote from the venerable book "The Jazz Theory Book" by Mark Levine.

"You can interpret almost all chord symbols using just these four scales: The major scale; the melodic minor scale; the diminished scale; the whole-tone scale." (page 32)

Squice, if you learn the major scale (in every key preferably), then you can learn how to form the modes from that scale. Also learn the chords related to those scales. You can then go on and learn the melodic minor scale, the diminished scale and the whole-tone scale. Take your time, so that you build a solid foundation. There is no rush.

One thing that is important though. It is not enough just to learn scales and chords. You have to know what to do with them in the context of a chord progression or song. Either get a good instructor or a good book on jazz theory. Otherwise, just getting bits and peices of information here and there can be very confusing and frustrating.