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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