Minor Scales Explained (for Improvisation)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Get your free minor scales PDF cheat sheet here▶️ www.getyoursaxtogether.com/minorscales

[@kalenderquantentunnel9411]

This topic really bugged me for quite some time but now I finally understand minor scales and how to use them playing the horn! I will certainly come back to this lesson until my brain has fully absorbed it. Thank you! 🤗

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

You're welcome!

[@gotofourths933]

You are all good luck for us Jamie, thank you!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🤞

[@billpatterson8997]

Jamie, wow, this was the most concise, clear explanation of minor scales that I have ever seen! I have been playing for years and struggled with understanding the different minor scales and when to use them. Now it makes total sense. Thank you for sharing this in such an understandable manner. You are a gentleman and a scholar!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@IanJonesOnSax]

Absolutely wonderful explanation! Only thing I longed to hear was you playing the ‘wrong’ note (flat or major 6) that you would concisely point out before picking up your horn. Beautiful amazing sound though. Inspiring me to pick up my sax right this second!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thank you 😀

[@richardcraven4700]

Thank you . As a piano player I have enjoyed and learned a lot from your teaching on this subject

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Awesome!

[@jonathanbieniada1797]

Great video for people trying to understand more advanced topics. Thank you!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@emscots2780]

Just found this, really helpful thankyou. 😊

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad it was helpful!

[@grantbeard6037]

Hi Jamie, that's the best explanation of this gnarly topic that I've seen. Brilliant. Thanks. And I'll get around to buying you a coffee soon. Cheers.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@Caglarsax]

Great lesson .I use harmonic minors In a Turkish song and latinas. Thank you for the video ❤

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks and you're welcome 😊

[@KrisVComm]

Fantastic video!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks so much!

[@johnycat7373]

Superb lesson Jamie. No one could explain this better. Amazing job. I know that a lot of people who knock learning theory do it because they are afraid of it. I hope that I don’t come across like that. But I have a novel idea. Just learn your major scales AND their modes. Arpeggio’s. Then use your ears 😮. You don’t need to learn anything more. You will naturally gravitate to what is required in the same way that a singer does. And I have never met a singer, who knows (without being told in advance) who knows what key they are in, or what scale they are using. Take Whitney Houston for example….(I think she has/had a voice like a sax) . She had no knowledge of music theory. But if there was a minor 7th chord …or a sixth…..She would hit it first time. Because she used her ears. The same goes for a lot of rock guitarists. Although as a rock guitarist, I am glad that I have the Harmonic minor completely sussed out. But I never consider it on sax. Of course all jazz musicians need this knowledge because they throw in the kitchen sink. And I will listen to a little jazz. (On the door to my rehearsal room fully equipped for a 7 piece band just to walk in I have a sign…”No Jazz…..There is a reason why jazz is a minority music…..let’s Rock! " But anyway. I ramble…..a few too many beers last night. Loved your lesson Jamie. What a talent you have for explaining the unexplainable 😂

[@SaxUpYourLife]

You just injected me with hope - as a beginner saxofonist, I was overwhelmed by the theory in this lesson. I mean, it kindof makes sense, but there is so much to take in and practise to master the theory. I play the soprano sax because I LOVE the sound and the expression, and that’s what keeps me practising EVERY day. I don’t think I’m ever going to get to grips with all the theory, and since I just want to play and sound beautiful - I guess it’ll have to be by ear, so thank you for the Whitney Houston reference - that’ll be me 😄

[@johnycat7373]

@@SaxUpYourLife Hi Mikel. Yes, this lesson is superb but definitely intermediate to advanced and definitely more useful to jazz musicians who want to play with other Jazz musicians. When I started I just learned the major scale. I think major arpeggio’s are really important for learning to play by ear. They are pretty simple . First note of the scale, third fifth and octave. Google them. They really develop your ear and they all ways sound good over the chords of the key that you are playing in. I play in a couple of bands. I am a multi instrumentalist. But what everyone loves on the sax, is simple melodies, like when I take the solo on "Stand by Me" I keep it slow and really simple…very close to the original melody…And i have actually had people cry with emotion. When I go crazy and show off , it’s ok…but the majority of people just want to hear a good melody, like a voice singing. And the Soprano is perfect for that. Whitney Houston’s sax player, Kirk Whellum, ( check out the solo on ”I will always love you" - watch it live on you tube..) says that he has the same approach. He is incredibly talented and can play incredibly fast jazz passages, but he says that the sax is his singing voice…And he tries to keep it poppy and melodic. Soulful. So dont be intimidated by theory. Enjoy playing the vocal melodies of your favourite songs and everyone who listens will too. There is a reason why popular music is popular. When someone comes to my house, I always play Whitney’s "Saving all my love". Women just fall at my feet…..and I am 60….lol

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

@Johny Cat Thanks so much! If I could sing everything instead of having to work it out on sax I'd be a happy man. (the audience wouldn't though - my voice is crap! lol)

[@SaxUpYourLife]

@@johnycat7373 That’s really good advise, and you are so right! I love and enjoy playing simple melodies and my aim is perfection of intonation, timing and expression. I love to sing as well, so I can most definitely relate to the aim of making the soprano sound like a beautiful singing vocal. Your reply means a lot to me, and it is very reassuring to hear about your personal experience, especially since playing beautiful melodies is still what it’s all about for me 😊. My one year anniversary on the soprano is coming up next week, so I’ll head off to my home studio to make a few recordings to post here on KZbin and on Get Your Sax Together - Inner Circle Forum 😜🎷

[@tjtj3829]

Absolutely awesome. Thanks 🎷

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! You're welcome

[@HayKay_]

Thanks for your KZbin lessons. May I suggest a similar video on when to use the half-diminished and whole-diminished scales? Thanks again.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

I've actually got a video on diminished chords, and there's only really one two main half-diminished scales: Locrian and Locrian natural 9. You can use either of them on a minor 7 flat 5 chord. The natural 9 one is a little spicier!

[@theonemanband16]

Hey Jamie! I've been subscribed to your channel for almost a year now trying to teach myself sax from YT vids, and imo your content is the best out there! Especially starting out as a guitarist, I am only now realizing the power of practicing scales other than minor pentatonics! Keep up the great work!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Cool, thanks!

[@magnusselander]

Very nice lesson about the minor scales and I love your sax sound !

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks!

[@nickmartorano6766]

FANTASTIC lesson! Extremely clear and the practical examples help a ton! Super useful teachings, as always! Go Jamie! :)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Nick! 🙏🏻

[@donl9571]

Another common context you may want to comment on is a blues that stays on one minor chord throughout, like "Spoonful" by Howlin Wolf. I'm guessing melodic or dorian. These are very common at blues jams.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

If it’s bluesy I wouldn’t say melodic minor. Probably Dorian or more likely just the blues scale.

[@patemblen3644]

That was excellent Jamie. Hearing it outlined like that really brings it home.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks. Hope it helps

[@BassAtoZ]

Wow, that video! Fantastic. Thank you, congratulations ... mereceu um café! Absss

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks so much

[@vincentremue4147]

What a fantastic teacher you are, Jamie!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Vincent! 🙏🏻

[@lyecats]

Best lesson ever!!!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@lisawanderess]

As much as I've tried to wrap my head around music theory my brain just sees it as like maths and gets too overwhelmed so I just go back to playing songs I like by ear because it makes me happy and at my age I'm under no illusions of ever becoming a professional sax player but I do so appreciate your passion for explaining the theory part to me over the years. I'll never give up trying to make it sink in!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

😄 👍

[@christopherluk7421]

Amazing lesson.Thanks.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad you liked it!

[@solomann940]

Thanks for the lesson

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

My pleasure!

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

This is great information, thank you.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jamesstewart4434]

Finally the Minor Scales and how to use them has been explained to me where I understand. I have waited 45 years to understand how to use these Scale properly. Thank you Jamie

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Great! Well better late than not at all 🙏

[@DrinkCola]

I think you have to wait more 45 years 😄😄

[@JayCee-hw4zc]

Brilliant! 👍 Thanks heaps. Love it 🎈💞

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

You’re welcome 😊

[@JayCee-hw4zc]

@@GetYourSaxTogether Hey Jamie, have you done a segment on "dead air" that is, what to do with breath left over before you need to or should, take the next breath?

[@pavelpatsenkov]

Hi, Mr Anderson. That is fantastic lesson. Thanks. Very useful, very important, very interesting.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@Joe_Landry]

I've avoided learning this stuff because I was scared of these words, but you made it very clear and the examples were very helpul. Thank you for making these videos!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@rafaelprezzotto4980]

Great content! Thanks for that.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Cheers Rafael!

[@neilwoo5143]

Super - fantastic help to demystify minors - thanks Jamie.👋

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks as always Neil!

[@1garyabraham]

What a great lesson! Thanks. Have to say some of it was way beyond my level it will be really valuable to save and refer back to time and time again in the future. More coffee en route!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Gary! 🙏🏻

[@dalemccullough5693]

Excellent lesson. Thanks, Jamie.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@walterlee2439]

Thanks Jamie, as always wonderful, clear and concise explanations. Your videos are always inspiring and motivational. You are appreciated always! Maybe later can you do one on the phyrigian mode 🙏

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Walter! 🙏🏽

[@mpbraendle9621]

Excellent content, clearly explained! Thank you, Jamey.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad it was helpful!

[@derycktaylor3677]

An excellent video. Thank you.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! 🙏🏻

[@abogatum]

Excelente

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

😎

[@sidneiramalho]

Great video Jamie, thanks for putting this together and sharing with us. Great way to explain it.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@m.w.]

Sometimes i lay awake at night and think by myself:"what does it mean, the picture of DORIAN Gray........."?🤔🎹🎼

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🤣

[@dcp8nts]

I just play what i think sounds better. =D Great sound Jamie. So inspiring,

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍

[@sumaccu61]

Grande, ottima lezione

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks!

[@xrgiok]

On bass guitar all scales were piece of cake, so easy to memorize because of visual learning fingering on your frets 😅

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

For sure!

[@shourovsarker7262]

thnx

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

You're welcome

[@olivierherment1188]

Thank you for your teaching. I don't if it's a correct english never mind I'll learn

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Olivier!

[@shipsahoy1793]

Jamie, I can never understand why so many people that play music can’t seem to wrap their head around this stuff?! I personally find music theory, especially basic stuff like this, to be the easiest part of my musical journey.. I guess it’s just a different part of the brain that processes this, Idk..👨🏻 🎷🥳

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍

[@robstevens9590]

Thanks for the "history explanation" of the different minor scales. Question: when you see a Cm6 or Cm6/9 chord does it always mean the natural (Major) 6th could it mean the flat 6th ?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

always natural 6. If it was flat it would have to be specified eg Cm(b13), although that's a chord symbol you don't really see to be honest!

[@robstevens9590]

@@GetYourSaxTogether Thanks!

[@shirleyfrancis4515]

Is that your Selmer Mk VI. It's so beautiful.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yes it is!

[@rameshrao3792]

The last 2 notes #6,#7 seem to form the binary pair and all combinations for dropping to b-flat. (0;0, 1;0, 0;1, 1:1) Not clear what the other combinations in the first 5 notes will yield ie first five notes for major being (0;0;0;0;0) and dropping the 3rd to b-flat being (0;0;1;0;0) in this case, but what do the other combos mean in terms of interpretation of sound

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Wow. I do not have a clue what you’re talking about this time! 🤣

[@rameshrao3792]

@@GetYourSaxTogether got it - binary patterns are easier to remember (and mathematically logical to put as below because you add 1 to the minor you get the next pattern) C D E F G A B represent as 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Major Scale (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ) C D Eb F G A B represent as 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Melodic Minor (1 2 3b 4 5 6 7 ) C D Eb F G A Bb represent as 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Dorian Minor (1 2 3b 4 5 6 7b ) C D Eb F G Ab B represent as 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Harmonic Minor (1 2 3b 4 5 6b 7 ) C D Eb F G Ab Bb represent as 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 Natural Minor (1 2 3b 4 5 6b 7b ) Question is what happens when you take the Major Scale and drop one of the other notes to a flat and do combinatorics with last two notes as above for example: C D E F G A B represent as 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Major Scale (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ) C Db E F G A B represent as 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 ? Scale (1 2b 3 4 5 6 7 ) C Db E F G A Bb represent as 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 ? Scale (1 2b 3 4 5 6 7b ) C Db E F G Ab B represent as 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 ? Scale (1 2b 3 4 5 6b 7 ) C Db E F G Ab Bb represent as 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 ? Scale (1 2b 3 4 5 6b 7b ) etc or take your example from video ... say the last natural minor and keep adding 1 ( ie progressively dropping to flat and shifting left) eg C D Eb F G Ab Bb represent as 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 Natural Minor (1 2 3b 4 5 6b 7b ) C D Eb F Gb A B represent as 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 ? (1 2 3b 4 5b 6 7 ) C D Eb F Gb A b Bb represent as 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 ? (1 2 3b 4 5b 6 7b ) C D Eb F Gb Ab Bb represent as 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 ? (1 2 3b 4 5b 6b 7 ) C D Eb F Gb Ab Bb represent as 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 ? (1 2 3b 4 5b 6b 7b ) C D Eb Fb G A B represent as 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 ? (1 2 3b 4b 5 6 7 ) etc

[@lyecats]

Although using binary to describe a scale doesn't really accurately depict the values of the notes. That's why some people use the half/ whole representation for scales. A major scale being, WWHWWWH. Jamie, you are a gifted teacher. This lesson really made me want to go through my songs and stuff into those minor chords that I've been floating over. It was a fabulous and well organized price of work. Thank you!

[@rameshrao3792]

@@lyecats I used one representation method specific to this example. One could represent all 12 notes as 12bits and then go through the combinatorics. Assumed the special cases were eigen values in an equation that would include the abstract math, biomechanics/anatomy and component to represent external factors that could include cultural influences ..it would be a representation that would be approximation. There are a few who have written several pages on this topic - TLDR. Agree that Jamie does a phenomenal job imparting the knowledge he has accumulated over the years and his energy and enthusiasm is quite contagious

[@eleanorschneider5104]

What happen to going down a 3rd from root and raising 7th going up and down? Also raising 6 + 7 going up not coming down. Help

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Not quite sure what you’re getting at there, but o think I explain it all in the video?

[@richardolson8651]

G major has an F# and Cm6 does not. So Eb is not the only differant note. ?? Great lesson. Dick

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

That’s why there’s a note on the screen that points that mistake out?

[@richardolson8651]

@@GetYourSaxTogether Thanks I missed that. Great job. Dick

[@vannigio6234]

🐻👍👍👍💥🎷💥🎷💥uahh!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🙏🏻

[@davidnduka3618]

Clearly we all don't get major scales, based on the bloopers 😂

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🤣