Diminished Vocab For Dominant 7th Chords by Chris Standring

Let's look at the diminished scale using the linear concept so we can incorporate the arpeggio and scale into our melodic lines.

The make up of the diminished chord allows us to use the same chord shape for 4 different chord names. A diminished chord is made up of: Root, b3, b5 and 6th (otherwise known as diminished 7th). That means that each interval is exactly a minor 3rd away from each other. If we took the root as A, the chord tones would be: A,C,Eb,Gb. If C was the root note our chord tones would be: C,Eb,Gb,A. If Eb was the root, our chord tones would be: Eb, Gb, A, C. Finally if Gb was the root note our chord tones would be: Gb, A, C, Eb. The minor 3rd intervals keep going up until the end of the 4 note sequence and start over again.

This means that the diminished scale is quite difficult to really hear as there seems to be no final note to feel comfortable about when you get to it. There are 4 final notes! However, this also means that there are only 3 scales to learn as opposed to 12.

The diminished scale can be thought of as quite simply, the notes of the diminished chord with a leading note placed before each chord tone. The scale then looks like this:

Every dominanth 7th b9 chord has a diminished chord within it. This allows us to utilize the diminished scale when playing over chord 5. It also gives us nice stepwise resolutions when we finally get to the 1 chord. Look at the following 2, 5, 1 progressions and study the diminished lines when they appear over chord 5. Have fun!

About the author
Chris Standring is a contemporary jazz recording artist who performs throughout the USA and Europe regularly. He has enjoyed much radio airplay with several albums, opening up a busy touring schedule. His music appears on many compilation CDs also. For more info on Chris' popular home study jazz guitar course go to www.PlayJazzGuitar.com Visit him on the web at www.chrisstandring.com

Learn to play jazz guitar at the highest level with Chris Standring's complete home study course! Click here for info!

Play What You Hear v. 2.0 is here!! (now includes Guitar TAB!)In this CD-Rom (and download version) complete home study course you will learn to play jazz guitar at the highest level in the shortest possible time. Internationally acclaimed recording artist Chris Standring has written a proven jazz guitar method with "Play What You Hear - a melodic approach to jazz improvisation for guitar". He walks you through all the required musical areas necessary to become a truly masterful player. Click here for more!