Jazz Piano Scales for Improvisation
If you want to play improvised solos in jazz, you need to know which scales to play.
In this article, I’ll show you the different scales you can play over each type of 7th chord.
Major 7 Scales
The major 7 chord is built from the major scale’s root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th. That means it has a root, a major 3rd (E), 5th (G), and a major 7th (B).
Any scale you play needs to agree with these chord tones—otherwise it may clash.
Scales you can play over C major 7:
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C major scale — C D E F G A B. Most jazz musicians consider the 4th (F) to be an “avoid note,” since it sounds slightly dissonant against the E below. It’s common for improvisers to skip over the 4th in their lines, although you can still use it.
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C Lydian scale — C D E F# G A B. This is my go-to scale for major 7 chords. The Lydian scale is a major scale with a #4. This time, the #4 does not clash with the chord below and adds an interesting tonal color to your playing.
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C major blues scale — C D Eb E G A. This is a major pentatonic scale (C D E G A) with the addition of the “blue note” (Eb). The blue note is usually used as a grace note, briefly preceding the 2nd or 3rd (D or E), rather than being sustained.
The scales above can also be played over a C major 6 chord (C E G A), which has a 6th instead of the major 7th.
Minor 7 Scales
The minor 7 chord is built from the minor scale’s root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th. That means it has a root, a minor 3rd (Eb), 5th (G), and a minor 7th (Bb).
Any scale you play over a minor 7 chord needs to agree with these four chord tones.
Scales you can play over C minor 7:
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C natural minor scale — C D Eb F G Ab Bb. Many jazz musicians consider the minor 6th (Ab) to be an avoid note because it creates a darker sound over the chord.
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C Dorian scale — C D Eb F G A Bb. This is my go-to scale for minor 7 chords. The major 6th (A) gives the scale a brighter sound and is strongly associated with jazz harmony.
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C minor blues scale — C Eb F Gb G Bb. This is a minor pentatonic scale (C Eb F G Bb) with the addition of the “blue note” (Gb). The blue note is normally used as a grace note, briefly preceding the 4th or 5th (F or G).
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Dominant 7 Scales
Dominant 7 chords give you the most scale options. Jazz musicians often add altered notes over these chords—including the b9, #9, #11, and b13.
A C7 chord contains:
C E G Bb
Any scale you play over C7 needs to preserve the chord’s essential major 3rd (E) and minor 7th (Bb).
Scales you can play over C7:
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C Mixolydian scale — C D E F G A Bb. This is the most direct scale for a dominant 7 chord, although it doesn’t contain any altered notes.
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C Lydian-dominant scale — C D E F# G A Bb. This is my go-to scale for dominant 7 chords in a major ii–V–I. It is the Mixolydian scale with a #4 (F#). The #4, or #11, adds a sophisticated color to your solos.
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C altered scale — C Db Eb E F# Ab Bb. This scale contains every common altered extension: b9, #9, #11, and b13. It also preserves the natural root, 3rd, and minor 7th needed for the chord to function as a dominant 7.
The simple way to remember the altered scale is as the melodic minor scale built from the b2. Over C7, play the Db melodic minor scale.
In a minor ii–V–I such as Dø – G7 – Cm7, play the G altered scale over the G7, then resolve the altered notes by half step into chord tones of C minor 7.
- C diminished scale — C Db Eb E F# G A Bb.
The diminished scale is another option over a dominant 7 chord. Over G7, play the G half-step/whole-step diminished scale, then resolve into C minor 7.
- C hybrid blues scale — C D Eb E F# G A Bb.
The hybrid blues scale works well over C7 because it combines blues notes with the natural 3rd, 6th, and minor 7th of the chord. Use the Eb and F# as passing notes rather than sustained melody notes.
Half-Diminished Scales
The half-diminished chord—written Cø, Cm7b5, or Cmin7b5—is a minor 7 chord with a flat 5.
Scales you can play over Cø (C Eb Gb Bb):
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C Locrian scale — C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb
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C half-diminished scale — C D Eb F Gb Ab Bb
TIP: If you find half-diminished chords intimidating, simplify the scale and improvise using the four chord tones: C, Eb, Gb, and Bb.
Diminished 7 Scales
The diminished 7 chord—written Cº7—is a stack of minor 3rds.
The main scale to play over Cº7 (C Eb Gb A) is:
- C diminished scale (whole-step/half-step) — C D Eb F Gb Ab A B
Over Cº7, emphasize the four chord tones—C, Eb, Gb, and A—on strong beats. Use D, F, Ab, and B as passing notes between them.
Minor-Major 7 Scales
The minor-major 7 chord—written C-Δ—is a minor chord with a major 7th.
The main scale to play over C-Δ (C Eb G B) is:
- C melodic minor scale — C D Eb F G A B
Scales give you the notes—but phrasing, rhythm, and melodic shapes make those notes sound like jazz. See my Jazz Piano Improvisation Guide for practical examples.
Practice Tip
Choose a jazz song from your Fake Book.
Play through the song’s chords, playing each chord simply in your left hand as 1–3–5–7.
Then, in your right hand, play the appropriate scale ascending and descending.
Recommended songs:
• Misty
• Satin Doll
• The Girl from Ipanema
• Autumn Leaves
Next Step
Want to go beyond memorizing individual scales and understand how scales, chords, and harmony all connect?
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Fill in the gaps. Connect the dots.
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