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Diminished scales and when to use them Reply to this Topic
morganlives Posted on 2/9/2005 8:01:55 AM

Hi Jazztrumpet solo forum,

Can anyone help me in applying the diminished scale to my improvisation?

I understand the concept of half step and whole half step diminished scales, but so far am having difficulty in knowing which of the 3 scales to use over what chord.

Q1. is there a single diminished scale you can use over a ii-v7-i progressio? if so what one would you use over for example. D- G7 Cmaj.

Q2. Say you have a 8 bar modal type phrase, A-. Which diminished scale would you use over that?

bye the way did I mention Morgan lives



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Re: Diminished scales and when to use them Reply to this Topic
fred Posted on 2/9/2005 9:18:12 AM

Hello,

You can use diminished scale principally on dominant chords.
For example, if you have a G7 you can you the diminished scale starting on B with whole step: B, C#, D, E, F, G, Ab, Bb.

This scale will work very good on a G7b9#11 (or a G13b9). If you have for example the progression D-7 | G7b9 |CM7 it will work very good because E (the 13th of G7b9) is the 3rd of CM7.
When you have minor cadenza, for example D-7b5 | G7b9 | C-7, you would probably not use the diminished scale, because in that case G7b9 is in fact a G7b9b13 (if you want to be specific).

If you want to learn to use diminished scales very good, I recommend that you hear Randy Brecker (or Michael) they play them very often, and always “in a good manner”

P.S.: You certainly know the more famous pattern with diminished scales: try this:
D E F G E F D E | F G Ab Bb G Ab F G | Ab Bb B C# Bb B Ab Bb etc... Listen to Dave Douglas !


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