http://www.mattwarnockguitar.

com

As I often get questions from readers and students as to how to build, use and harmonize many
of the commonly used scales and modes in the jazz idiom, I thought it would be a good idea to
put all of that information together in an easy to access and quickly scannable document that can
be used as a go-to resource for guitarists of all levels of development.
In the following Reference Page, I have written out the most commonly used scales and modes
that guitarists will run into as you further explore the realm of jazz improvisation and harmony.
Each section shows how to build these scales and modes, as well as which chords you can use
them to solo over, and where applicable, what triads and 4-note chords are built from that scale
or mode.

Click here to download a printable PDF of the Jazz Guitar Scale and Mode Reference Page.

Here is a guide to the terms used below under each scale and mode, as well as the shorthand
symbols for the triads used when applicable.

Legend of Terms
Intervals: The intervals used to build each scale or mode
Triads: The triads built from each note in the scale or mode
4-Note Chords: The 4-note chords built from each note in the scale or mode
Used to Solo Over: How to apply each scale or mode to an improvisation

Triad Shorthand
M = Major (R 3 5)
m = Minor (R b3 5)
D = Diminished (R b3 b5)
A = Augmented (R 3 #5)

And without further ado, here is the Jazz Gutiar Scale and Mode Resource Page
http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

******

Modes of the Major Scale

The most commonly used and learned scale system; the Major Scale Modes offer a plethora of
melodic and harmonic material that is found in countless jazz tunes, from the traditional to the
modern era alike. It is therefore a must-know scale system for any jazz guitarist to have under
their fingers, in their ears and applied to their solos.

To read more about this scale system check out my article Modes of the Major Scale and Their
Application

Ionian

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Ionian Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 4 5 6 7 R
Triads: M m m M M m D
4-Note Chords: Maj7 m7 m7 Maj7 7 m7 m7b5
Used to Solo Over: Maj7 Chords

Dorian

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Dorian Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 R
Triads: m m M M m D M
4-Note Chords: m7 m7 Maj7 7 m7 m7b5 Maj7
Used to Solo Over: m7 Chords (m6 color)
http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

Phrygian

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Phrygian Resource Page
Intervals: R b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 R
Triads: m M M m D M m
4-Note Chords: m7 Maj7 7 m7 m7b5 Maj7 m7
Used to Solo Over: m7 Chords (m7b9 color)

Lydian

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Lydian Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 #4 5 6 7 R
Triads: M M m D M m m
4-Note Chords: Maj7 7 m7 m7b5 Maj7 m7 m7
Used to Solo Over: Maj7 Chords (Maj7#11 color)

Mixolydian

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Mixolydian Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 4 5 6 b7 R
Triads: M m D M m m M
4-Note Chords: 7 m7 m7b5 Maj7 m7 m7 Maj7
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords


http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

Aeolian

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Aeolian Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 R
Triads: m D M m m M M
4-Note Chords: m7 m7b5 Maj7 m7 m7 Maj7 7
Used to Solo Over: m7 Chords (m7b6 color)

Locrian

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Locrian Resource Page
Intervals: R b2 b3 4 b5 b5 b7 R
Triads: D M m m M M m
4-Note Chords: m7b5 Maj7 m7 m7 Maj7 7 m7
Used to Solo Over: m7b5 Chords

******

Modes of the Melodic Minor Scale

The modes of the melodic minor scale, though containing more tension notes than the major
scale modes, is an essential group of melodic and harmonic material that has been used in
countless classic solos by jazzes greatest improvisers. It is therefore a must-know scale system
for any jazz guitarist to have a strong hold of in their hands, ears and minds.

To learn more about this scale system check out my article Modes of the Melodic Minor Scale
and Their Application
http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

Melodic Minor

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Melodic Minor Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 b3 4 5 6 7
Triads: m m A M M D D
4-Note Chords: mMaj7 m7 Maj7#5 7 7 m7b5 m7b5
Used to Solo Over: m7, m6 and mMaj7 Chords (mMaj7 Color)

Dorian b2

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Dorian b2 Resource Page
Intervals: R b2 b3 4 5 6 b7 R
Triads: m A M M D D m
4-Note Chords: m7 Maj7#5 7 7 m7b5 m7b5 mMaj7
Used to Solo Over: 7Susb9 Chords

Lydian Augmented

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Lydian Augmented Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 #4 #5 6 7 R
Triads: A M M D D m m
4-Note Chords: Maj7#5 7 7 m7b5 m7b5 mMaj7 m7
Used to Solo Over: Maj7 Chords (Maj7#5 color)


http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

Lydian Dominant

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Lydian Dominant Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 #4 5 6 b7 R
Triads: M M D D m m A
4-Note Chords: 7 7 m7b5 m7b5 mMaj7 m7 Maj7#5
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords (7#11 color)

Mixolydian b6

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Mixolydian b6 Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 4 5 b6 b7 R
Triads: M D D m m A M
4-Note Chords: 7 m7b5 m7b5 mMaj7 m7 Maj7#5 7
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords (7b13 color)

Locrian Natural 9

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Locrian Natural 9 Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 R
Triads: D D m m A M M
4-Note Chords: m7b5 m7b5 mMaj7 m7 Maj7#5 7 7
Used to Solo Over: m7b5 Chords (m9b5 color)


http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

Altered Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Altered Scale Resource Page
Intervals: R b2 b3 3 #4 #5 b7 R
Triads: D m m A M M D
4-Note Chords: m7b5 mMaj7 m7 Maj7#5 7 7 m7b5
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords (7alt color)

******

Other Common Scales and Modes

The following scales and modes are members of other scale systems besides the major and
melodic minor groups, but are nonetheless important to get under your fingers, as they can be
used to navigate many of the common chords and chord progressions that you will encounter as a
jazz guitarist.

Major Pentatonic Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Major Pentatonic Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 5 6 R
Used to Solo Over: Maj7, 7 Chords (Maj6, 13 color)




http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

Minor Pentatonic Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Minor Pentatonic Resource Page
Intervals: R b3 4 5 b7 R
Used to Solo Over: Maj7, 7 m7 Chords

Major Blues Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Major Blues Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 b3 3 5 6 R
Used to Solo Over: Maj7, 7 Chords

Minor Blues Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Minor Blues Resource Page
Intervals: R b3 4 #4 5 b7 R
Used to Solo Over: Maj7, 7, m7 Chords

Major Bebop Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Major Bebop Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 4 5 #5 6 7 R
Used to Solo Over: Maj7 Chords


http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

Dominant Bebop Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Dominant Bebop Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 4 5 6 b7 7 R
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords

Minor Bebop Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Minor Bebop Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 7 R
Used to Solo Over: m7 Chords

5
th
Mode Harmonic Minor

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my 5
th
Mode Harmonic Minor Resource
Page
Intervals: R b2 3 4 5 b6 b7 R
Triads: M m D m D A m
4-Note Chords: 7 Maj7 Dim7 mMaj7 m7b5 Maj7#5 m7
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords (7b9b13 color)





http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

5
th
Mode Harmonic Major

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my 5
th
Mode Harmonic Major Resource
Page
Intervals: R b2 3 4 5 6 b7 R
Triads: M A D M D m m
4-Note Chords: 7 Maj7#5 m7b5 M m7b5 m7 mMaj7
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords (7b9 color)

Half-Whole Diminished Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Half-Whole Diminished Resource Page
Intervals: R b2 b3 3 #4 5 6 b7 R
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords (7b9#9#11 color)

Whole-Half Diminished Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Whole-Half Diminished Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 b3 4 b5 b6 6 7 R
Used to Solo Over: Dim7 Chords





http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com

Whole-Tone Scale

Learn how to play this mode on the guitar by visiting my Whole Tone Resource Page
Intervals: R 2 3 #4 #5 b7 R
Used to Solo Over: 7
th
Chords (7#11#5 color)