4-Part Jazz Harmony > 8-Note Scales
8-Note Scales
For the purpose of 4-part jazz harmonization, all scales are thought of as 8-note scales. Each scale is constructed with the four notes from a "6" type chord or a "7" type chord, and four notes from the °7 chord ½ step below the root of the "6" or "7" chord.
When referring to 8-note scales derived in this way, we write maj6/dim, min6/dim, dom7/dim, dom7(b5)/dim, and dim/dim (or "double diminished"). They can also be described as chord-scales.
The following table compares the traditional 7-note scale to the 8-note scale, for each of the fundamental 4-note Chords:
Chord Symbol |
Construction on C |
Traditional Scale |
8-Note Scale |
maj 6 |
C E G A |
C D E F G A B |
C D E F G Ab A Cb |
min 6 |
C Eb G A |
C D Eb F G A B |
C D Eb F G Ab A Cb |
dom 7 |
C E G Bb |
C D E F G A Bb |
C D E F G Ab Bb Cb |
dom 7(b5) |
C E Gb Bb |
C Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb |
C D E F Gb Ab Bb Cb |
dim 7 |
C Eb Gb Bbb (A) |
C D Eb F Gb Ab A B |
C D Eb F Gb Ab Bbb Cb |
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