LJS 157: 4 Scales to Play Over a Half-Diminished Chord

Welcome to episode 157 of the LJS Podcast where today we discuss four different scale options for approaching half-diminished chords. Sometimes it can be helpful to take chords out of the context of chord progressions and look at them individually. These scales will help you map out note choices for this mysterious chord.
Listen to episode 157







Ever came across a half diminished chord and felt like you didn't really know how to approach it or what notes to play?
When it comes to jazz improvisation, your note choices are always going to be dictated by which chord came before and what the next chord is.
However, I think it's helpful to spend some time in the practicing room working on chords as isolated events. Scales are a good way to identify "pitch collections" that map out note choices in a chord.
In this episode, I identify 4 different scales that can help you map out the half diminished chord so you can start feeling more comfortable with it on your instrument.







In this episode:
1. Using the Locrian Mode over a half diminished chord.
2. Using the Locrian #2 over a half diminished chord.
3. Using a harmonic minor scale over a half diminished chord.
4. Using a minor pentatonic scale over a half diminished chord.







Thanks for listening to this episode of the Learn Jazz Standards Podcast. If you aren't already, make sure you are subscribed on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
I look forward to having you join me in the next episode!
Important Links
LJS 99: Which Scales You Can Play Over Different Kinds of 7th Chords
LJS 115: How to Balance Music Theory and Playing by Ear