Scale - What next ?

[MB-913]

I have been learning sax for 14 months now & big fan of Jazz. In the past 14 months, I've learned the following scale:

1) Major scale
2) Minor scale (Mainly Dorian)
3) Blues scale
4) Pentatonic Major scale

I work on these scale in all 12 keys.
Anybody can suggest what scale I should learn next? What about Pentatonic Minor?

I also work on some patterns, arpeggio & chord as well. But just want to know what scale I should work on in next (More common use scale).

Thanks.

[Big Nick]

Melodic minor (and associated modes).

[Peterk]

By the way, pentatonic minor is just a subset of the blues scales which you already know...so you probably can play those 90% already.

[MB-913]

Melodic minor ? Forgot to mention, I also work on this before. thsi is my first Minor scale to work on. But 3 months haven't touch it after work on Dorian minor.

I consider Dorian Minor is more important & more useful than Melodic is because Minor 7th chord is based on Major 7th chord's 1-3B-5-7b, I can use Dorian Minor scale's 1-3-5-7 notes on all Min 7th chord without thinking about avoid notes.

[frankbiff]

Why more scales? Seems it's time for you to move on to other things.

[Peterk]

Didn't want to say anything, but Frank might be right.
If you're playing jazz - how many standards do you have memorized? Might be time to dig in?

[Wailin']

How about the diminished scales...only 3 :lol:

[soultwist]

Yeah, don´t forget to learn tunes...the more tunes you learn, the easier it gets to learn everything else...

[fusionjazzmadman]

I don't know if i understood you correctly, have you learned all the modes of the major scale? If not then the first thing you should practice on is the mixolydian mode, since it's probably even more crucial to your improvising than diminished and melodic minor. Of course sooner or later you'll have to learn them too but i would staret with the modes on major and melodic minor, and especially mixolydian

[UOPJohnny]

I don't know if it will ever be time to move on from scale work. Every phenominal teacher I've studied with has been really into scale work.

I would advise learning scales in 3rds, 4ths and 5ths (for thirds, 1/8th note, do-me, re-fa, me-so, fa-la, etc.). Those will really get your brain working. Also try different patterns for scales (1/16th note, do-re-me-fa, re-me-fa-so, me-fa-so-la, etc., there are many many more). Also set a goal for your scales so you know you know them cold (for example, don't stop learning a scale until you know it subdivided into 1/16th notes, quarter note = 130)

Try learning every scales you can get your hands on... Of course major and minor are very common, but you'll learn a lot doin stuff like Hindu scales, Diminished scales, b2/b7 scales, etc. If I remember correctly, the back of the Charlie Parker Omnibook as a ton of different scales.

Also, picking up Jerry Coker's "Patterns for Jazz" has some really good jazz excersizes. They seem dry at first, but they're more applicable than you realize when you first start using the book. The exersizes can also be transposed for all 12 keys.

Good luck, I wish you good success.

[Josh]

How about working on your major scales full range? Then you don't have to learn the modes separately.

[saxy_rich]

Id recommend really LEARNING those scales. Truly understand them. Be able to play patterns in 3rds, 4th, 5ths, etc. Make sure you know your major modes and what not, and be able to recognize when you see changes what mode and scale youll use. Its good that you know your Pentatonic scales, It makes learning the Lydian mode much easier.

With all those scales you already know, get started on the fun stuff too!... You can start learning tunes, and learning how to play over progressions and what not. Youve shown you can get down and do the dirty stuff, now enjoy the fruits of it!(but always keep workin on the scales) :wink: