Vocabulary, Voice and the Fingerboard

This Masquerade – Dominant 7th Chord Scales

♩ This Masquerade📄 Scale ReferenceScales & Harmony

A detailed breakdown of dominant 7th chord scales for This Masquerade, showing which scales work over each dominant chord in the progression.

In this study we will look at several chord scales for dominant 7th chords that we may play on This Masquerade or other tunes.

Let’s start with Lydian Dominant, a mode of Ab melodic minor. Notice how close this is to F natural minor. We just adjust the c note down a half-step to accomidate the Db7(#11).

The next dominant seventh we will link to the predominant. Here we have the Gm7b5 with locrian. When we look at the C7, the f tone will descend by a half-step.

Let’s check out Ab13b9. This is a mode of the Db Harmonic Major. This is a part of a V-I to Dbmaj7.

This is a G mixolydian chord scale.

Let’s look at G7b13. Here we’re working with the c melodic minor scale.

Here we have a good example of dominant 7th chord and the tritone root relationships. Compare this Gb7#33 to C7Alt..

Develop language on dominant 7th chords to expand your improvisation ability. Spend time with each one.

What You’ll Learn:
Scale choices for each dominant 7th chord in This Masquerade, how to match scales to chord functions, and fretboard positions for confident improvisation over the changes.

Practice Tips:
Work through each chord scale individually, then practice connecting them in sequence through the form. Use the scale shapes as a starting point for improvisation, gradually incorporating chromatic passing tones and approach patterns.

Georgia On My Mind Improvisation Play-Along

♩ Georgia On My MindPlay-AlongJazz Ballad · Standard🎶 Backing Track

Develop your ballad improvisation skills with this Georgia On My Mind play-along. Hoagy Carmichael’s beloved standard features beautiful chord movement through major and relative minor tonalities—offering a wonderful canvas for crafting expressive, melodic solos that tell a story over one of the most iconic songs in American music.

🎧 What You’ll Work On

  • Playing expressively at a ballad tempo with space and dynamics
  • Navigating the movement between major and relative minor tonalities
  • Using chord tones and melodic embellishment to create lyrical, singable lines
  • Building a solo that respects the emotional character of this classic melody

💡 Practice Tips

  • Start by paraphrasing the melody—it’s one of the most beautiful in jazz and provides excellent solo material
  • Use space generously—at a ballad tempo, every note carries more weight
  • Focus on vibrato, bends, and dynamics to add emotional depth to your playing
  • Try playing through the changes using only chord tones before adding scale-based passages

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