Jazz Guitar Scales & Modes — Complete Guide

Jazz guitar draws on a rich modal vocabulary. Unlike rock and pop, jazz requires you to change modes with each chord — a concept called "playing the changes." The Dead Sea Scales system gives you all the tools you need.

The Core Jazz Guitar Scales

• Dorian — 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7 — Over minor 7th chords (Dm7, Am7). The jazz minor sound.
• Mixolydian — 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7 — Over dominant 7th chords (G7, C7). The swing sound.
• Lydian Dominant — 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7 — Over V7 chords in jazz. Brighter and more modern than Mixolydian.
• Super Locrian (Altered) — 1 ♭2 ♭3 ♭4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7 — Over altered dominant chords (G7♯9♭13). Maximum tension before resolution.
• Melodic Minor — 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 — Over minor major 7th chords. Sophisticated minor sound.
• Bebop Dominant — 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7 7 — 8-note scale with chromatic passing tone. Swings perfectly.

The ii-V-I in Jazz

The foundation of jazz harmony is the ii-V-I progression. In C major: Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7. The scale choices: Dorian over Dm7 → Mixolydian or Lydian Dominant over G7 → Ionian/Lydian over Cmaj7. Master this and you can navigate any jazz standard.

Explore All Modes & Scales — Free Interactive Tool

Dead Sea Scales™ is a free interactive guitar tool with all 7 diatonic modes, 42 total scales, audio playback, and printable reference posters. No login required.