MUST KNOW SCALE FOR JAZZ IMPROVISATION

[@phillipmccrary7746]

This video prompted me to think about how I would "teach" the altered scale. (I can barely play ha ha). There are 3 basic ways to think about it and since brains work differently I would present them as "take your pick" 1) After you pick the root or first note of the altered scale you want to play, start on that note but play the notes of the melodic minor scale starting 1/2 step up. So if it's a B altered start on B but play a c melodic minor scale. 2) use the half whole method and divided the scale into first half, half, whole, half, whole and the second half, whole whole whole. 3) note names root, flat 9 raised 9, third, flat 5, raised five, flat or dominant 7, (last sharp 11 flat 13). You did it better than anyone else on KZbin. I down loaded how to use it but I plan to make my own patterns. After I'm better, will consider lessons, now not too good.

[@davemazur2062]

Dude thanks so much. Taught myself saxophone for 15 years, now I'm trying to grasp jazz theory better and apply better techniques and colors to my improv. I'll be listening to all your videos now.

[@reimass9244]

You are a great teacher! I really mean it! I am a classical violin teacher and I know the challenges of teaching kids very well! This is so cool and I would recommend you to anyone interested in Jazz improvisation because you give all the tips and tricks and licks with Music, with real phrases that do count. Very classy, elegant, thoughtful phrases with a really nice tone in all the videos and I have to say that you inspire to really have fun with music, to love jazz and even to become a better listener for someone along with to become a more meaningful player. Well done, do ever more, I am going to incorporate your tips into the violin scales vocabulary and I will try to find the right phrases that make my instrument sound that cool with it. I always wanted to hear it from sax players about what they do and this is so liberating. No other instrument posseses this special quality to be that precise and direct and to the point in some way. Always wanted to be a soprano sax player on fiddle with all the breading laws of phrasing. You just can not play too mechanically, you just have to breed and that is the best way you can phrase it. That's it. Sax rules, I like this so much and I want to make music with you! Btw, I play 14 instruments by will and all are string or keys or percussion, hand type of playing, I don't blow anything and I miss that. You are making me so happy with your knowledge! Hope it means something to you too! Thanks and cheers! :)

[@kennyr1161]

Clarinet is better

[@jamessingleton4856]

You are the most brilliant guy I've encountered on KZbin for a LONG, LONG time!! You're an incredible teacher. I can't thank you enough.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thank you so much, James!

[@VladimirPutin-cd4cl]

Easiest way to memorize 7alt: e.g. G 7 alt = regular Gb/F# ionian scale in which the root Gb is replaced by G. Gb: Gb, Ab, A #, B, C #, Eb, F ; G 7 alt: G, Ab, A #, B, C#, Eb F.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+David Davidson That's a good one, David!

[@farmz0r]

+David Doom it's easiet to grasp as major scale with replaced (sharpened) root.

[@VladimirPutin-cd4cl]

mr4af Yes, that's a much shorter (and better) way to put it.

[@eltacrash]

Wow! Thanks!

[@claudemiropacheco]

I think of a mix of HW scale + a whole tone ..first half is a whole-half, and the second is a whole....That works for me....

[@garysutton9135]

I WAS THINKING THE SAME....YOU ARE A GOOD TEACHER.......am 65 on friday,and been shedding for 30 odd years.You have a way about you Jeff and the fact....short bursts are good for me... as my attention limit is limited....lol.I will watch these lessons over and over.I have just been trying to play some Parker lines.....slowly of course.....Cheers.

[@joepalooka2145]

One of the amazing things about music, is learning something you have never heard of before despite studying many different books or videos. I have never seen anyone else make the Altered Dominant easier to understand, than just a major scale with a sharpened root! Very impressed

[@JulianLambert]

Great video, thanks Jeff. I often try to think of tritone substitutions when it comes to altered chords and scales. The major pentatonic scale built on the tritone provides all the 'juicy' notes (b9, #9, #11 (aka b5), #5 (aka b13!) and b7) and just takes out the tonic and third which can be added in to a melodic line without too much mental strife. So in G ...tritone is Db ...pentatonic scale is Db (#11), Eb (#5), F (b7), Ab (b9), Bb (#9). As you say in the video, there are many ways to think about it. Keep posting!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Julian Lambert that's an excellent approach, Julian. Thanks so much for the comment, and thanks for watching!

[@jaykay1053]

I always love your breakdowns, especially when you include over which chord to play the notes of the scale you're breaking down (as you did here). Thanks.

[@prewettcr]

Awesome... Die-hard fan of your skills and ability to clearly explain your concepts. Many thanks!

[@rickgraham786]

Hey Jeff, first of all thanks for the Fantastic video lessons. As a newcomer to the saxophone (I've only been playing for 2 years) I really get a lot out of them. I'm attempting to learn music theory through KZbin after having lessons for my first year. it can be a little confusing at times but the graphics you pop in at the bottom of the screen clearly help. Thanks again.

[@ufera]

You are a good teacher bro , thanks a lot, I ll study the scales you showed , good stuff .

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@billabbott6092]

Great stuff Jeff. If only there was You Tube when I was in High School and had someone explain this stuff to me.

[@tubificent]

Jeff -- your videos are great. Super accessible, instructive and helpful. Cheers.

[@julio46494649]

Theory seems to be so simple... I understand everything when you put it into words, thanks pal !!!

[@coloripple]

fake youtubers make 10+ min videos without any content just to get the money. real youtubers accidentally make 10+ min videos because they have so much content to talk about. Keep it up Jeff, your vids are really helpful and bring interesting different ways to look at music

[@javiertrujillo7995]

You are a great teacher have helped my playing tremendously in a matter of minutes. (literally) Thanks!

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

I do like it, Jeff. Am practicing how to apply it/them. Like also your knowledge, patience, simplicity of explanation, and continued dedication - in promoting and preserving music education.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thank you so much, Wyndhl!

[@danb2622]

I love your channel, Jeff! Always something to learn and it helps! Thanks for all you do.

[@woytd6435]

it's nice and helpful to look for diffirent triads within the scale.

[@olafsrensen9578]

You are so great a teacher (really the bedst)Thanks Olaf Copenhagen Denmark

[@ChrisTurnerDublin]

Agree with Gary there - the videos are really helpful. Thanks Jeff -!

[@rogerwhybrow9762]

Thanks so much Jeff, these vids are really helpful and illuminating. Yeah, and you're funny too.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thanks, Roger! Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@pleximanic]

I see and perceive the altered scale as a diminished whole tone scale because it is very easy to visualize it that way!

[@francescomanfredi]

To sum up we can think this altered dominant scale as: 1. A locrian dominant, or superlocrian, that is the seventh degree of Ab melodic minor 2. A a Gb ionian scale with the root raised up a half step 3. A symmetrical diminished/wholetone scale 4. A lydian dominant scale seen upside down 5. A pentatonic scale starting from a tritone below or above plus tonic and third 6. A half diminished arpeggio a minor third above plus a dominant arpeggio a third below (this is my copyright hehe!) The truth is there is no theoretical reason why it works, it just contains all the tensions of the chord, am I right?

[@drmichaelopare8245]

you're the best Jeff... you've helped me a lot

[@jonputolnavarro5539]

Great lessons, easy enough to digest even for a guitarist like me. Thanks

[@콜트레인쟌]

Im always waiting for your video. Thanks a lot!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+김존 Thank you! That means a lot.

[@ijohnny.]

Great lesson. Thanks much Jeff!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+johnny.w Thanks, Johnny!

[@brady7389]

this is a killer lesson

[@facutorres8698]

Lot of information, thank you Jeff, very nice lesson

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

My pleasure, Facu. Thanks for watching.

[@Waylanification]

So happy i found you.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Waylanification ME TOO!

[@fadyb27]

Sounds really cool man thankss . Cheers from Lebanon !

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+fady bechara Thanks for watching! Greetings from New York City!

[@williamchien]

Great lessons, thank you for making these wonderful videos, they are really helpful!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Much appreciated, William!

[@XasNitram]

thanx maestro- very inspiring& plain instructive

[@hardnerv]

The lick he does is: A D E F G A (the first time he plays Ab) over Dm7, B Eb Bb G Ab B Eb G Ab F G Eb B Bb Ab G (the first time he plays Bb A Ab G, which sounds good, but A isn't in G altered) over G7alt, then F E D C B A G F E over Cmaj7. Maybe this is helpful to someone :)

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+hardnerv It's actually B Bb Ab G both times. I may have "lipped down" for effect on one of them which is why it sounds a bit flat. Thanks for writing it out, though! Good ears.

[@hardnerv]

+Jeff Schneider Haha thank you! Nice lessons anyway :)

[@constantatiemo9521]

Wow

[@pablors6718]

I loved this one! The entire video haha cheers man! And thanks once more

[@alohadoc1]

Wow, You actually responded..Yes I was referring to this video, but it occured to me that maybe you like to explain in concert C just as a hypothetical for teaching purposes, kinda like people teach modes using all the white keys..not necessary if you are mostly talking to Sax players..I am more of a piano and guitarist, but delving into how a sax player has to approach this for my son, along with tips from sax players tips I have played with in the past proffessionaly (who referred me to you).. I am sure I will pony up for a few of your links as I think your teaching is awesome..Piano players think a little differently..well maybe..I suppose not if they went to school about it all..but then there were some that just heard it and played it, with minimal advanced theory..Thats me a bit I guess, but it is cool to know there are theorys about the stuff I had been already playing ..For example, the demented dominant scale (altered)..Sort of a nature bunch of noted to follow if you are already playing them as a chord..But of course it all sounds so much cooler on a sax..which is why I took up playing the melodica as it is a piano players wanna be sax, great for transcribing Charlie Parker licks. all in the concert key versions..but whatever..

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Hi Robert, Of course I responded! :) Yes, I talk in concert key since there are musicians watching these videos who don't play alto. I suppose it's the most universal way to communicate the notes. Thank you for watching my videos and best of luck to you and your son!

[@chrisfarrugia5397]

Really Interesting cant wait to try it out!...... Thank you

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Chris Farrugia Thanks, good luck!

[@drins.ishmaku9483]

even if I didn't need this somehow found it interesting. Subscribed!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+D Ishmael Happy to hear that! Thanks for the follow.

[@drins.ishmaku9483]

You're good ;) Pleasure is mine!

[@enochpeter]

Thanks for yet another great lesson. The link to the support material no longer works. Is there another way to obtain it?

[@AlDiMarco111]

Hi, Jeff. I believe that for a concert G scale you would want to be playing in E not in Bb. Maybe you were thinking minor 3rd in the wrong direction? With Alto sax the transposition is either a 6th above or minor 3rd below, no?

[@mendellabkowski7828]

Love the theory talk. keep it up!

[@alohadoc1]

You are playing in Concert Bb you meant :) Playing along with my melodica..another way is that it starts off as a diminished scale (play over b9 cords and second half is as you daud, whole tone..best palyed over augented cords..I am listenning for my son (Tenor sax) who i am starting to teach Jazz improv after concert bands and reading stuff..

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Hmmm where are you referring in the video? Glad to hear you're helping your son with improv!

[@SamChaneyProductions]

I always think of the Alt scale as an upside-down lydian dominant scale. Lydian dominant (WWWHWHW) is the perfect scale for vanilla dominant chords and if you flip it upside down (flip the tetrachords/top and bottom halves), it's perfect for completely altered dominants (HWHWWWW). It's an interesting coincidence that makes it easy to remember for me.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Great call, Sam! Both scales come from the melodic minor scale, which is why they work flipped around!

[@christopherfrost-lutman271]

Is the guide still available on your website? I clicked the link and it took me to an error page.

[@stewtoubia]

Amazing channel

[@patrickcharette2151]

You sir, make great videos

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+patrick charette Thanks, Patrick! Glad you're enjoying them.

[@johnbedrosian5781]

Jeff; I am somewhat new to playing, but I often wonder why when playing in the key of C that you always start from the G. Maybe you can explain this for me and others that are new also. Thank you so much for your videos! John Bedrosian

[@LarryLenau]

So I suppose the altered dominant scale is a minor scale (with a natural sixth and leading tone seventh) starting on the seventh? It's like a locrian dorian scale kind of?

[@LarryLenau]

Wait never mind you explained that a little later in the video xD

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

All good!

[@jameseastope5562]

This video was more fun watching Jeff struggle to remember what he’s trying to talk about, still he covered a few ways to explain the scale. I like videos like this that dont seem perfectly polished.

[@eltacrash]

Love this scale!

[@XavierJordanMusic]

Such a great video! Learned something new lol

[@AlexVonCrank]

Nice vid Jeff. Just one question. At the end of the video you mention that the altered scale is the 7th mode of melodic minor but in your graphic (7:06) you omitted the 5 in the altered scale. Is it necessary to omit the 5 to make it a 7 note scale and to make it fit the Melodic Minor? If so, do you always omit the 5? I notice if it's in there you get some chromatic notes. What gives brother?

[@jmalatesta]

Keep up the good work. What are some theory resources you recommend?

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+J Malatesta Thanks, J. I'll be doing more theory videos in the future, so stay tuned to my channel. I really like the Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine. He also has a jazz theory book that I hear is good, but playing piano is a great way to learn and understand theory.

[@eijsbrand]

The easiest way to figure out the altered scale? Take the Ionian scale of F#, and just raise the F# to G. Can you figure out the C#alt ? Take the C-scale, and move the C to C# C# D E F G A B C#

[@djhott1022]

Jeff your a Genius amazing

[@marcrandri186]

Hi JEFF, thanks a lot for sharing, what is the piece on the end of this vidéo, anyway for listing it somewhere ? Again , thanks for sharing :)

[@bradyhayden585]

Is there a reason that at 4:20, the notes you have listed aren't the actual notes you're playing? I was playing along on my guitar and if I wanted to match the tone of your scale I had to play: Bb B C# D E Gb Ab . The whole video your saxophone was a minor 3rd higher than my guitar. Why is that? Been watching a lot of your videos recently. They're all phenomenal. Thanks a lot for all your advice!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Hi Brady, I made this video back before I started talking in concert key like I do in my more recent videos. Guitar is a concert instrument just like piano. Alto saxophone is an Eb instrument. What that means is that when you play a C on a guitar and a C on the piano, it sounds the same pitch. But when you play a C on the alto saxophone, you need to play an Eb on the piano to get the same pitch. Hope that makes sense!

[@bradyhayden585]

That makes perfect sense. I had gotten a saxophone for Christmas and I was wondering why in the world it was a full minor 3rd off-pitch when I would play along to my tuner. Glad I know why now. Thanks!

[@samuelokure5686]

thanks very much for the lesson

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thank YOU!

[@latinkeys1]

Jeff, nice video thanks

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thanks, Franky!

[@alphaO27]

Hey jeff, could you do a video about microtonal notes ( quater notes in particular )

[@zenncatt]

Hello, Jeff. Excellent presentation. What bebop form of the altered scale do you recommend in controlling chord tones landing on strong beats? I realize there are a few options; just wanted your take on it. Thank you.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

I wouldn't worry too much about landing on chord tones with the altered scale since most of the notes are altered already. At the end of the day, you gotta trust your ears!

[@zenncatt]

I "hear" you! Thank you.

[@leowright8016]

Thank you for sharing 🎶🎶🎶🎷✌🏽😎

[@prothesinger]

Best way to think of this scale: Play F# major and just raise the 1 to a #1. So in context. Normal F# scale = F# Ab Bb B Db Eb F F#, When the G is put in place of the F# it becomes G Ab Bb B Db Eb F G.

[@PhrygianPhrog]

I've known about the altered scale for a long time and have memorized 3 or 4 licks but I still don't know how to use it in a freer, creative way. Any tips?

[@streetgeezer]

I never studied any theory....I really wanna GET what you're saying here. I have hunches but it doesn't cut it :) do you have ANY recommendations of where to begin?? Take lessons with you on Skype perhaps?? :) Thank you!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Carl Waerner Hey Carl, this video is a bit on the advanced side if you don't much theory. Happy to catch you up on Skype if you'd like to book a lesson. You can do so here: bit.ly/1T1NtrE

[@Tabu11211]

Locrian flat 4 is a good way of thinking of it too

[@Handle2point0]

Question: Can you use Alt scale over a regular dominant chord?

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

It depends on how "out" you want to sound. I say try it out and see if you like!

[@OllytheOzzy]

thanks jeff

[@Gharjen]

I was reading an article earlier today about using the melodic minor scale that is a semitone above the current chord, it didn't really make alot of sense. Yet again cause everything has 2 different names...

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+George Barton Hi George, I hope it's all making sense now. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@nr3rful]

wonderful

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+nr3rful Thanks!

[@liamtrawick]

so is this the same as the superlocrian scale?

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Liam Trawick Yes, yes it is!

[@liamtrawick]

Thanks!

[@pogus49455]

Super locrian is easier to remember in my opinion 1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6 b7 or a half step down major scale with a #1 (I know it's not technically right but its an easy way for me to remember) so in the case of G7alt I would play an F# scale starting on a G instead of F#

[@matthewclark2941]

I'm just starting theory, can someone explain why we use extensions? 9's 11's etc? It seems confusing. Why not just use 1-8 if they're the same notes? Or are they different in pitch? Higher? Can someone clarify? Thanks

[@woytd6435]

it comes from stacking up diatonic 3'rds from the tonic - it goes like 1,3,5,7,9,11 up till 13 and next one is the tonic again. check this out on a piano, and it will make sense. That way you'll get all the basic extensions. Hope that helps :)

[@josealmeidajunior2884]

thank you!

[@JasonWeismannminnesotasmusic]

What mouthpiece do you play on?

[@kabelobobaathebe5134]

Hello I'm in Botswana and interested in learning saxophone please help with books and videos

[@pleximanic]

05:40 i died HAHAHAHAH so funny!

[@miguitarraesunaibane]

can i use this scale for play blues? you know i was working on dominant lydian buts a little weird and hard to make a good frase :/ sorry my english its not the best xd hope you understand! cheers

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

You can use this scale on any dominant 7 chord (as long as it sounds good ;)

[@miguitarraesunaibane]

thank you dude =)

[@lucianoflorio7056]

hey, thats great! I just purchase the link, could you tell me what number are the licks you are playing! thanks !!! Looking foward to my 10 minutes skype class... emm best whishes from buenos aires

[@lucianoflorio7056]

+Luciano Florio think is the number 9 love it

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Luciano Florio Thanks!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Luciano Florio Let's set it up!

[@sultown4343]

What is the scale called that goes: C, E-flat, F, F-sharp, G, B-flat, C

[@OM-md6ki]

C Minor Blues

[@noahk.3696]

theres another trick Galt is actually the same as Gbmajor but with a G instead of a Gb

[@emreuludogann]

you dont have british accent tho? where are you from :)?

[@josealmeidajunior2884]

Valeu amigo!

[@live2groove]

Jesus man, this is great stuff, but I'm trying to transpose it for guitar and I can't do it fast enough yet. Let me get another cup of coffee and try this again

[@gilregev4823]

Another easy name for this scale is : Dim-Whole scale H W H is the Dim ; W W W W is the Whole

[@gravitywell6350]

reminds me of a Gaug chord

[@CarltonMoxley]

The concert in the keys piano to transpose in your head I thoughtMy piano was out doing for minute now

[@CarltonMoxley]

I see you do make reference At the end of videoMy bad for being impatient

[@tylerlyons4943]

The trick is to smoke as much as Jeff!

[@TheHouseofKushTV]

For this vid, I'm thinking your weed was too strong, or your coffee wasn't strong enough. Or both.

[@kristianskarklins5005]

Basically g minor w/ b2b4b5

[@johncontos9577]

This altered scale sounds very familiar from an old tv show, batman.

[@lproblox919]

Very good srsrsrsrsrs.

[@MarkPeotter]

I agree - "Must Know Scale"! Too bad the presentation is hard to follow, and too long. I would have started by showing actual sheet music chords - G7b9, G7#5, etc. Then, show the scale and we can see how those notes are included.

[@linkcell]

I'm a die hard. yeah.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+linkcell hahah

[@TheKeithbruce]

your scale is called a "double diminished "

[@MerryNineThree]

I don't get it

[@railcar123]

aka "Super Locrian"

[@Davidkaisermusic]

Oh so it's super locrian

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Davidkjazz Exactly.

[@jean-claude2923]

Octotonic...