


Identify, memorize, and practice these 10 scales in all 12 keys so you can recall them immediately. As it turns out, there are 10 scales that cover 95 percent of all playing situations.

To become fluent in the language of jazz improvisation, you should become familiar with the most commonly used scales. The same process of assimilation takes place when learning jazz improvisation. Over time, one becomes fluent in a language and no longer has to consciously think about the mechanics while speaking. We also learn from studying and analyzing language in school. In spoken language, we learn from experience, talking and listening to others. The following information on jazz scales is excerpted from the Berklee Online course Gary Burton: Jazz Improvisation.
