Essential Jazz Scales for `Ukulele

Melody, chords, licks and riffs all can be related back to scales.

Published: 05 Oct 2012 Updated: 06 Apr 2020Visits: 14Code: UL04j

Category: ScalesInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Intermediate • Scales • Advanced • Jazz

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Essential Jazz Scales for `Ukulele


A scale is simply a collection of pitches or notes, not really “this is a Jazz scale", “this is a Blues” or “this is a Rock scale”. It’s how a scale is used that really matters.

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Most music starts with a scale. The melody, chords, licks and riffs all can be related back to a particular scale or scales.

After you mastering the six essentials scales below and start to explore more advanced styles of music, especially jazz. There are a few more scales that are needed to cover the broader harmonic palette that a typical jazz tune draws from.

Checkout the Related Video below for Examples in C Tuning, Open Position .

Due to the rich harmonic content of songs and composition in the jazz repertoire the essential scale are, with their alternate names :

Scale Modes

  • Ionian (Major)
  • Dorian (Minor)
  • Phrygian
  • Lydian
  • Mixolydian (Dominant)
  • Aeolian (Natural Minor)
  • Locrian

Traditional Scales

  • Harmonic Minor
  • Jazz Minor - Descending Melodic Minor, Tonic Minor
  • Whole Tone
  • Diminished

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Essential Jazz Scales for `Ukulele…

Altered Scales

  • Mixolydian +4 (Lydian Dominant)
  • Mixolydian -2 -6
  • Whole Tone
  • Diminished

Contemporary Scales

  • Blues (Minor Pentatonic)
  • Pentatonic (Major Pentatonic)

And a few other altered and add note scales are common. After master the above scales is should be no problem deriving additional scales from these essential scales.

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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

Videos

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The Seven Scale Modes, Open Position Examples

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The seven scale modes on ukulele in open postions with TAB and scale diagrams.

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Whole Tone Scale for `Ukulele - C Tuning

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The Harmonized Major and Minor Scale Charts

The "Major Scale" or Ionian scale is a diatonic scale, made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first one octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, (Do), the Do in the parenthesis at the end being the octave of the root.

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A Practical Approach to Exploring Scales

On ukulele there aren't many positions where you can play a one octave scale from the root to octave. An instrument like the guitar with the additional lower strings five and six allows one to play a one octave scale in multiple positions in the basic 4-fret, 4-finger position. On ukulele there might be one or two depending on the scale and the key - and whether your using a low string four tuning. This lesson offers a practical approach to practicing your scales on ukulele.

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Six Essential Scales for `Ukulele

The six essential scales are: Blues Major Pentatonic Mixolydian Dorian Aeolian and Ionian From the six essential scales, you can get through a wide variety of traditional and contemporary music. A scale is simply a collection of pitches or notes, not really a "this is a Jazz scale", "this is a Blues" or "this is a Rock scale". It's how a scale is used that really matters not its name.

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The Seven Scale Modes, Open Position Examples

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Related Lesson Series

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The "Six Essential Ukulele Scales" series is based on the fingering principles from my series of books in the "QuickStart Scale and Arpeggio Fingerings" series.

The Seven Modes of the Major Scale

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Pythagoras (569BC- 475BC) - discovered the numerical ratios which determine the intervals of the musical scale. Theses are the seven tones of the C Ionian or C Major scale.

Related Books & Charts

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QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, Volume I, C Tuning

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Learn to create exciting solos in a variety of contemporary styles! Scales are used to improvise, create melodies and riffs. With broad knowledge of the essential scales that are used in contemporary music and a mastery of the ukulele's fingerboard and fingering principles, you're well on your way.

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QuickStart Scale Fingerings for Ukulele, Volume I, D Tuning

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This book is out of print and has been replaced by the individual scale books covering each scale with additional information.

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QuickStartScale Fingerings for Tenor and Baritone Ukulele, Volume I, G Tuning

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This book is out of print and has been replaced by the individual scale books covering each scale with additional information.

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Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics. Whether your style is Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz or Classical, these principles will improve your technique, your solos, even your sight reading. Think of fingering as a series of pathways. When you learn to connect these pathways, there are benefits not only to technique but also to creativity.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

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Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

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Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering - Scale Worksheet

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