Advice About Which Scale [FAQ]

As we've said, we're not a replacement for live instruction; so if you have questions about which scale you may be interested in studying, we truly can't give concrete advice for every individual. Yet, we feel we can begin to make some relevant points. If you are in fact looking at scales like the altered minors, or Bebop in your playing, then we might say that you could begin with the Diatonic, and pick up all of the points on that scale; which will solidly adhere to the very related scales. In fact, it is true that the Diatonic does most strictly go into the most detail overall.

We also feel that we could go on to say that we see two prevalent categories: the above scales; and then, the Blues and Pentatonic. For those latter two scales, we'll restate something below from the method, about related scales. (We should also add that the Diatonic has more chords than these scales; and that may be something of great value from your own viewpoint.)

Pentatonic

The Pentatonic spelling can be constructed by removing the half steps in the Diatonic scale; and, the selection doesn’t leave an augmented interval. Therefore also, it is “simply” a subset of the same Tetrachords in the Diatonic! (All of the shapes will share that elided tone shape.)

So it could be approached from the Diatonic that way. It could also be approached first, with the tones elided from most of the same figures that you’ve seen here. And a matching set of Tetrachord diagrams, could be the reduced parallel set: 6-1, and 2-3.

Blues

Just like the scale, it can be approached from the Pentatonic; by adding the ♭Ⅲ (or the ♭Ⅴ in minor). Yes: we’ve silently inferred that it’s “easy” to approach the Blues scale from the Pentatonic; and, therefore you’ll be looking to have familiarity with that! And you may feel that there’s another set of Shapes to learn for that.

Notice that the reverse perspective can be from familiarity with the Pentatonics first; and then “adding in” the Blues, and the Diatonic too — or in fact, from the Diatonic first, just as easily. If you’re thinking about which scale or book to pick up first; then we’d have to leave the choice up to you; and perhaps advice from a qualified instructor. It could be dependent on your own style, or preferences, and many other things — which we couldn’t advise about here.

Note also that both the Pentatonic and Blues scales are most often approached from the minor modes.

👉 We will add that it’s clear there are three scales that we’ve pointed out here, and four including Bebop (and even the altered minors as well), that all solidly adhere to the Diatonic shapes (and we do feel strongly that the Diatonic is not too hard to learn confidently; and nor are the modifications).

And all at the same time, each unique scale's diagrams can be very helpful in and of themselves; with their own unique shapes and perspectives.

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We are happy to offer a discount on two or more books. You should find a "Series Discount" available on the Google Books store: if you buy two or more books for the same instrument, then an increasing discount will be applied for more books.

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