LJS 74: How to Improvise Over Sus Chords

Welcome to episode 74 of the LJS Podcast where today we are talking about how to improvise over suspended chords. Specifically, we are covering the Dominant 7 Sus 4 chord, which shows up a lot in jazz music. These chords can sometimes stump an improviser when they come up and this lesson digs into some different ways to approach them. Listen in!
Listen to episode 74




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Suspended chords can be confusing to know how to improvise over them. The concept is relatively simple, but they still can leave a player unsure of how to approach them.
In this episode, we take an in depth look as some different ways to approach dominant 7 sus 4 chords. We uncover some chord/scale theory that can help you conceptualize note choices you have to work with.
At the end of the episode, I do a little bit of improvising myself over this chord, using all of the concepts that are talked about in this lesson.
G7sus4
Basic Formula: Root-4th-5th-b7

Approach #1: Mixolydian

Approach #2: ii Chord Dorian

Approach #3: ii Chord Minor Pentatonic

Approach #4: I Chord Major Scale

Approach #5: Relative major of ii Lydian
(or b7 of Dominant 7 sus4 chord Lydian)

Approach #6: Triads of b7 Chord and 7sus4 Chord

Listen to episode 73: 4 Strategies for Improvising Over Major 2-5-I's
Mentioned in the show:
Zero to Improv eBook
Our flagship eBook, Zero to Improv, is a book that teaches you how to become a great jazz improviser from the ground up. No stone is left unturned.
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