Media Type : Book Level : Intermediate-Advanced Musical Genre : Jazz Series : Workout Number of pages : 32 In the pursuit of improvisation (jazz or other styles), scales are the palettesâ utilized for creating melodies. Often, scales are only practiced ascending or descending step-wise. Jazz Scale Workoutâ by Ken Karsh contains eight measure through-composed continuous eighth note exercises (or workoutsâ ) utilizing jazz styleâ melodies based around the Major, Dorian (minor seventh), Mixolydian (Dominant), and Super-Locrian (Altered Dominant) scalesâ the most common scales in the jazz idiom. Four basic guitar fingerings for each scale are provided for the foundation of these exercises. Since these scales are the basis for improvising over the frequently utilized ii-V-I progression, the final workoutsâ found in this publication cover this area. There are two workoutsâ provided for each scale formâ one with only the scale tones (labeled Diatonicâ ) and the other with outsideâ chromatic tones resolving to the diatonic scale tones (labeled Chromaticâ ). The workoutsâ can and should be tried with different fingerings and should be played in all keys for maximum benefit. Jazz Scale Workoutâ provides an enjoyable finger and mental fitness programâ for guitarists interested in expanding their scale awareness in the jazz idiom.
