How to Use Diminished Scale in Jazz Improvisation

How to Use Diminished Scale in Jazz Improvisation. A tutorial on how to use the diminished scale and how to use it wisely :-)
Watch and Enjoy!
Paul Tobey
00:44 How to Use Diminished Scale in Jazz Improvisation
01:43 What is a diminished chord?
02:17 What is the scale?
02:36 Same scale in minor thirds. Start on a different note.
04:19 The cool thing about diminished chords
05:17 What I like to do
07:01 What sounds a lot cooler than this?
07:56 What if you are using the Dflat diminished scale?
08:57 Figuring out patterns with diminished scales
10:08 Example of 2-5-1 progression
10:47 What happens when you take out more diminished scales and see what you end up with.
11:33 Thank you!
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EXERCISE PDF - FREE DOWNLOAD
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Here's the link to download the diminished scale exercise that I talk about in the video: jazzmentl.com/wp-content/uplo...
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Paul Tobey is a Multi-Award Winning Concert Jazz Pianist/Composer. He's recorded 8 albums, has been featured in documentaries and listed as a Jazz Master in jazz editions. Once signed to Arkadia Jazz, Paul toured the world as a recording artist and was featured on stages such at the Hague Jazz festival, the Yokohoma Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival to name but a few. Amongst his awards he won "Jazz Educator of the Year" by the International Association of Jazz Educators, Pianist of the Year, Recordording of the Year and a Juno Nomination.
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[@Jazzmentl]

I've tried to offer an additional perspective on how to think about how to use diminished scale. Let me know if you like this type of tutorials. Leave your comments. Would love to hear from you!

[@sewbigegn1837]

To me you are the best teacher with talent becawese handreds youtube teacher but when improvisations comes only my favor you and Peter thank you

[@Jazzmentl]

Thank you for that. I do try to walk my talk. I agree that KZbin has plenty of videos teaching you what to do, but not so many who can actually do it.

[@theclaverman]

I just found your channel and it is an absolute goldmine. Subscribed instantly.-)

[@Jazzmentl]

Welcome to JazzMentl Simon! Glad to have you with us. ☺️

[@orochimarukishimoto6509]

There are many KZbin Jazz piano tutorials about the Diminished scale and music theory about usage of the Diminished scale but you really put the meat and potatoes on real world jazz piano playing about this scale and chords very well explained and played!!!! Thank You so much!!! Like I said there's a lot of videos about this Diminished scale with a lot of hype but they don't get down to ease of execution of playing like you did...💯💯💯💯💯

[@Jazzmentl]

Wow...that is a kind compliment. Thanks so much!

[@carolinewiese5]

Awesome! I watch a lot of piano with Jonny and he's great, but you give a lot of theory to go along with what I learn from Jonny. So helpful! I love how you show the simplicity that the diminished scales are just 3 different patterns. Now I feel how to use them so broadly!

[@Jazzmentl]

Great! Glad that you found this jazz tutorial helpful 😊 Caroline! You may also find this one helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6LcZIarj9ufrJo

[@carolinewiese5]

@@Jazzmentl ooh looks great! Thanks!

[@DonyaLane]

This was an excellent presentation! I subscribed.

[@Jazzmentl]

Thank you Donya. I appreciate the feedback. Welcome to JazzMentl.

[@robinreidmusic]

Very informative thanks!

[@Jazzmentl]

My pleasure!

[@anthonysilva5312]

Awesome!!!

[@Jazzmentl]

Glad you found this helpful Anthony 🙂

[@michaelscott6223]

Hey , can you give the proper fingering for the scale?? Thanks I love everything your teaching!!!🎹🎼

[@Jazzmentl]

Of course this depends on which scale and what note you start on, I will try to make a chart when I get a few minutes..

[@ronrobbins2737]

Hi, please help my confusion! There are only two kinds of diminished scales right? Half-step/whole-step or whole-step/half-step, right? So what is the so-called "double-diminished scale?" Seems to be an ordinary diminished scale of the half-step/whole-step variety, correct?

[@funw3d538]

You mentioned patterns...please provide a number of pattern exercises via PDF. I am challenged to come up with any.

[@djmileski]

So at 10:19, for using it over the G7 - 5 chord, which diminished scale are you using? G dim? Or rather which of the only 3 diminished scales?

[@Jazzmentl]

This would be G7b9 diminished. G, Ab, Bb, B etc ..

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Like the way you wrote the music out. I noticed that the C dim7 was written with a F# in it..rather than a Gb. Is that because it is a #11 on the scale? I am just on the very first part of the video You may cover this.

[@Jazzmentl]

In the world of jazz there is no real distinction between an F# and Gb. So, 2 things happen: 1. The notation software automatically chooses for you or 2. some people prefer to read an F# vs.Gb. Unless the key of the moment is specifically written as Gb and F# is acceptable. Also, if the chord written has mostly flats then go with a Gb. It's not a good idea to mix sharps and flats in the same chord although it is not agains the "rules".

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

@@Jazzmentl Total sense. Of course everybody..even the computer programs have different contributers.

[@digitaldesigner5284]

Please teacher, what is the difference between diminished scales and dimdom scales? I always mix them up when applying them, thank you.

[@Jazzmentl]

Thanks for your question. If you ask different players you may get a different answers, but for me, they are relatively the same. You can use the diminished scale over V7b9 cords. For example, over a G7b9 chord, you would use a B diminished scale because B, D, F and Ab spell a B diminished chord. This is the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and b9 of the V7b9 chord.

[@digitaldesigner5284]

@@Jazzmentl Thanks for answer :)

[@seanonel]

Why do jazz musicians nearly always rush everything?

[@Jazzmentl]

Keeping time is a problem for musicians in all genres. In my professional career, I rarely came across the problem where jazz musicians rushed. I performed with solid players who mastered their craft. I chose musicians whose style meshed with mine. I largely depend on the bass player and drummer in a trio situation and without them keeping great time, I'd sound pretty shitty. When musicians have trouble keeping time, it's usually one of 3 things: 1. Nerves/Adrenaline 2. They get lost in the tune 3. Lack of knowledge (tune or changes). When musicians are seasoned in their craft, they emerge with good time in their DNA. I do listen to some old bebop recordings and sometimes I'll hear one tune where I think "wow, these guys are rushing", but in those days, the guys may have been high (lol)...and the recording is genius and well, all is forgiven cause it was just a masterful session overall. Here's my two cents about this for anyone that finds themselves rushing; As long as the band members understand each other, and no one is getting pissed off because someone is rushing, it's all good. Keep playing and have fun! It may work itself out. If the problem persists and its an issue for you, address it quickly with your bandmates. Give the person a time frame to fix the issue. If its not fixed within a time frame, make a change. If you own the problem and you are the one that is rushing, play with a metronome and practice more. It helps to know your material inside out.

[@seanonel]

@@Jazzmentl Wow. Thank you very much for that thoughtful, well-worded and informative response. It's people like you that restore my faith in humanity. Thanks again! Seano

[@Jazzmentl]

@@seanonel 🙂