26.3 · The Other Scales

Which scale, when

The last scale skill is choice. A scale fits when its notes agree with the chord under it; match them and any note you land on works.

The router

Each button plays a scale over the chord it fits. Don't memorize; listen for the fit. The chord names the mood, the scale agrees with it.

major chords, bright, zero risk
minor chords, rock and attitude
dominant 7ths, grit on demand
augmented color, dreams and drift
°7 tension, suspense before release

The safe default

When in doubt: pentatonic. Major pentatonic over major chords, minor pentatonic over minor ones, blues when the chord has grit. Save whole-tone and diminished for the chords that call for them.

Drill them in the Scale room →Or name modes by ear →

Game · Which scale fits?

1 / 5

A mystery chord with a scale soloing over it. Pick the scale that fits.

Listen first. Then answer.

Quiz

1 / 3

The safest default over a plain major chord?

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.The harmonic series →