Crash Course On Which Scales to Play Over 7th Chords

What scales do you play over different 7th Chords? Comment below.
Scales are important to help us learn our instruments. They are also a good way to help conceptualize improvising over chord changes. However, scales aren't musical in and of themselves. In the wrong hands, they can even be detrimental to your jazz improvisation!
I hesitate to do a video like this, but at the end of the day, if you think of scales as "pitch collections", a way to map out the note choices you can make, I think knowing which scales you can play over different chords is quite valuable.
In this lesson I go over basic scales you can use as pitch collections over the different qualities of 7th chords.
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[@Learnjazzstandards]

What scales do you use over 7th chords? Let me know in the comments!

[@ChrisGeden]

Scott Henderson has a good cheat sheet for what to play over chords in general. I’ll see if I can remember some of them that haven’t already been mentioned: Over Dominant 7 Chords: - Lydian Dominant/Lydian b7 (R, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, b7). Can be played on the first of two dominant chords that are a tone apart. Robben Ford likes to use it on the IV chord in a Dominant Blues - Mixolydian b6 is a tone up from Lydian b7 (R, 2, 3, 4, 5, b6, b7) - Half-Whole/Double-Diminished also works (R, b2, b3, b4/3, b5, bb6/5, bb7/6, b7) - Phrygian Dominant (R, b2, 3, 4, 5, b6, b7) which comes from Harmonic minor. The major 3rd is what gives it its dominant name

[@alward5678]

Your teaching is some of the best I’ve ever seen. Great for Jazz guitar. Thank you.

[@AngadSVirk]

What a great, concise and helpful lesson. Thank you man! 🙏🏽🙏🏽 very grateful

[@MorningCarnival]

I get so confused with this subject but this is the best guide I have found so far. Thanks

[@musicalexcursions]

Hi Brent. 'Pretty good stuff. I do very similar vids. I'm trying to find ways to look at things in a different way lately. It seems after a while, once we learn these scales then we try to forget them. Some folks talk about tonal centers. Others feel it doesn't matter if the dom chord is altered because it's up to the accompanist to follow where the improviser is going; unless the altered note is in the melody. I think we could have good conversations. Cheers!

[@Learnjazzstandards]

Hey thanks! Absolutely, as mentioned at the beginning of the video, scales aren't musical in and of themselves. But if we think of them as 'pitch collections', miniature maps we can draw from, they can be great tools. Thanks for your input!

[@musicalexcursions]

That's understood. I just see a choice of notes. Maybe that's a good way to explain the usage of scales.

[@SamyakJainMusician]

Great lesson 😃

[@Learnjazzstandards]

Thanks Samyak!

[@Activation1111]

It would be great to see your instrument when you demonstrate anything. That way we can see your fingers, the chorus & scales you’re playing. So can try to copy. Otherwise it just sounds like words & Notes flying by. Thank you

[@osamamashagbeh8386]

most modes you are using are the Major mode starting from deferent place ! there is nothing much to learn here

[@johnrothfield6126]

Many Jazz theorists recommend Lydian over Maj7th

[@Learnjazzstandards]

Hey John! You could certainly play Lydian over a Maj7, but keep in mind the Lydian mode has a b5 scale degree included. So if you play it over a basic Maj7 chord it will sound like you are referencing the #11 in the chord. Which is totally fine, just important to be aware of.

[@ChrisGeden]

Learn Jazz Standards Lydian has a #4, not a b5, in theory. You wouldn’t say b5 even though it sounds the same as a #4 because you typically only have one of each interval. Saying b5 would imply that the 4th is either natural or diminished.

[@Learnjazzstandards]

Thanks Chris, that's absolutely correct. #4 would be the correct spelling. I appreciate the feedback!

[@musicalexcursions]

May I add: It's usually written (in charts)as #11? Referring to the chord that is...Major 7#11.

[@ChrisGeden]

Learn Jazz Standards no worries. Love this channel. I play over changes every day because of it.

[@SketchingRocks]

Why don't you show your playing? Can't see what you are explaining.

[@trumpeterval8751]

When you said scales weren't music that's when you lost me

[@breakfastplan4518]

modes.... sigh....

[@JamesStelling]

Harmony (chords) come from scales. Play the scale that the chord came from. No more complicated than that.

[@Learnjazzstandards]

Thanks for your input James!

[@JamesStelling]

No problem.

[@ChrisGeden]

You can make the same chords with different scales, though, so how do you know which scale the chord came from?

[@johnrothfield6126]

One chord may imply many scales. Chords don't come from scales.

[@JamesStelling]

John Rothfield: 100% wrong. Show me an example other than a choice of altered dominant scales..