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Harmonic Analysis - Scale Selection
Vertical and Horizontal scale selection.

Category: Theory Instrument: Theory Subjects(s): Intermediate • Scales • Improvisation • Advanced

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Harmonic Analysis - Scale Selection

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.

This lesson covers the vertical and horizontal scale selection.

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Once a harmonic analysis has been completed then scale selections can be made. These scale selections can be either vertical and horizontal choices.

Vertical Scale Choice

This is a scale per chord approach. When a new chord is encountered the scale is changed based on the chart below. This is a basic scale selection approach. Additional scales can be played against these chords using the same principles that are used with chord substitution (see the Substitution Principles chapter).

Chord Type

Basic Scales
(Starting on Root)

maj
maj7

Ionian(Major)
Lydian (Major)
Major Pentatonic

minor
m7

Dorian
Aeolian (Natural Minor)
Harmonic Minor
Minor Pentatonic

Additional Vertical Scale Choices below .

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Harmonic Analysis - Scale Selection…

More Vertical Scale Choices

minor/major 7 (mL7)

Tonic Minor

m6

Dorian
Minor Pentatonic

7

Mixolydian (Dominant)
Major Pentatonic

dim
dim 7

Diminished

aug
aug 7

Whole Tone

Horizontal Scale Choices

Scale choices can be made based on the overall tonality of a progression or portions of a progression using horizontal scale choices. The scale will stay in effect until the analysis requires a different scale.

Here are the scale choices applied to the Six Harmonic Principles.

Full Diatonic Chords

Full Diatonic Major

  • Use the Major scale of the I chord

Full Diatonic Minor

  • Use the Natural Minor scale of the I chord on I and III chords
  • Use the Harmonic Minor scale of the I chord on V and VII chords
  • Use the Natural Minor scale or Harmonic Minor scale of the I chord on II , IV , and VI chords

Sample Scale Choices for II V of a II V I Minor

  • Harmonic Minor of the I chord traditional sound
  • Locrian of the II for a more contemporary sound

Partial Diatonic

Use the Vertical Scale Choice approach.

  • For Seventh chords resolving up a perfect fourth (or down a perfect fifth) to a major chord type use a Mixolydian scale.
  • For Seventh chords resolving up a perfect fourth (or down a perfect fifth) to a minor chord type use a Mixolydian -2 -6 scale.

Internal Modulation

  • Use a Full Diatonic or Partial Diatonic solutions.

Unresolved

  • Use a Full Diatonic or Partial Diatonic solutions.

Cycle

  • Use a Full Diatonic or Partial Diatonic solutions.

Chromatic

  • Use a Full Diatonic or Partial Diatonic solutions.
  • For Seventh chords functioning as a bII7 , bIII7 , bV7 , bVI7 , or bVII7 use a Mixolydian +4 scale.

Alternate Scale Choices

Alternate scale choice should be based on the same principles as chord substitution.

The Lydian Scale Uses vs. Ionian Scale

If a major chord is not in a full or partial diatonic progression then the Lydian scale is the better vertical scale choice.

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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

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