LJS 157: 4 Scales to Play Over a Half-Diminished Chord




Welcome to episode 157 of the LJS Podcast where today we discuss four different scale options for approaching half-diminished chords. Sometimes it can be helpful to take chords out of the context of chord progressions and look at them individually. These scales will help you map out note choices for this mysterious chord.
Listen to episode 157







Ever came across a half diminished chord and felt like you didn't really know how to approach it or what notes to play?
When it comes to jazz improvisation, your note choices are always going to be dictated by which chord came before and what the next chord is.
However, I think it's helpful to spend some time in the practicing room working on chords as isolated events. Scales are a good way to identify "pitch collections" that map out note choices in a chord.
In this episode, I identify 4 different scales that can help you map out the half diminished chord so you can start feeling more comfortable with it on your instrument.







In this episode:
1. Using the Locrian Mode over a half diminished chord.
2. Using the Locrian #2 over a half diminished chord.
3. Using a harmonic minor scale over a half diminished chord.
4. Using a minor pentatonic scale over a half diminished chord.







Thanks for listening to this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast. If you aren't already, make sure you are subscribed on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
I look forward to having you join me in the next episode!
Important Links
LJS 99: Which Scales You Can Play Over Different Kinds of 7th Chords
LJS 115: How to Balance Music Theory and Playing by Ear



Om Podcasten

The LJS Podcast is the podcast where you get weekly jazz tips, interviews, stories and advice for becoming a better jazz musician! Hosting the show is the jazz musician behind learnjazzstandards.com, author, and entrepreneur Brent Vaartstra, who’s one goal is to answer any question about playing jazz music you may have. Jazz can be a challenging music to learn and play, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. Each episode features a specific musical challenge that jazz students may come across, where it is discussed and answered. Special jazz guests frequent the show, sharing their expertise on an array of different musical subject matter. Listeners are invited to call in with their jazz questions to the podcast hotline, where it could get answered on a future LJS Podcast episode. Join thousands of other listeners getting free jazz education every week!