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Where Do Maj7 / Min7b5 / Dim7 Chord
Tensions Come From？
Jazz Theory Discussion
JeffrySun November 6, 2018, 6:56pm #1
I hope the teacher can help me to tell me which scales these chords tension come from. For
example ，I know that dominant chords tensions come from Alt scale.
JeffrySun November 6, 2018, 5:48am #2
Sorry, I want to ask alt tensions. not natural tensions.
For example, CMajor7#4 or Adim b13 chord . This kind of tension come from which scale?
Hayden November 6, 2018, 11:43pm #3
Hi FooChi
Great question here!
Firstly let’s talk about Major Chords:
For major chords, here are 2 common options to derive harmonies and melodies.
Ionian Mode - simply the major scale
Lydian Mode - the major scale with a #4 / #11
For every major chord, you can include the #11 colour/tension in your lines, and/or your
chord voicings. There are more colours/tensions that you can use over major chords such as
the #5, but right now just focus on exploring the #11 and introducing it into your melodies
and chord voicings.
For -7b5 Chords (aka. Half Diminished):
First we have the Locrian mode which is the 7th mode of the major scale.
The Locrian Mode
So if you wanted to play a scale over B-7b5, you could either play the B Major Scale with
R, b2, b3, 4, b5. b6, & b7, or alteratively, just play the C Major scale from B to B. This is 2
ways of getting the same result, but different musicians do it in different ways.
You can find more information on the major modes here:
PianoGroove.com
Modes of the Major Scale Tutorial | PianoGroove.com
This lesson provides an introduction to modes, explaining what they are and where they
come from. These 7 modes play a fundamental role in improvisation.
The Locrian Mode Natural 2/9
Often jazz musicians will play a natural 2/9 over -7b5 chords. The b2/b9 from the Locrian
mode sounds somewhat dissonant, and the natural 2 gives a more ‘exotic’ sound. The
Locrian natural 2 scale is a mode from the melodic minor scale.
You can find more information on the melodic minor modes here:
PianoGroove.com
The Melodic Minor Modes | PianoGroove.com
The melodic minor scale is an exotic sounding scale. Furthermore, the modes of the
melodic minor are used extensively in modern jazz improvisation.
Finally, For Dominant Chords:
There are many more options here.
The b13 / #5 that you mention is commonly associated with the ‘altered mode’, again check
out the lesson on the melodic minor modes above. You can also find a more detailed study
on the altered mode here:
PianoGroove.com
The Altered Jazz Scale | PianoGroove.com
The altered contains every possible altered chord tone and is a great scale choice to
improvise over altered dominant chords.
I’ve been having a very similar discussion with @natasha0412 over in the following thread
about the diminished scale.
Check out this post where we compare the differences between the diminished scale, and
the altered mode:
Diminished Scale Theory Jazz Theory Discussion
Here is the download/lesson slides for the above lesson: Diminished-Masterclass-
Jovino.pdf (1.1 MB) There will be more lessons coming shortly on diminished chords, so
stay tuned to explore this fascinating topic. Hayden
I hope this helps FooChi… and if you have any further questions just let me know
1 Like
JeffrySun November 7, 2018, 2:37am #4
Thanks very,teacher.
I think I should study your course more carefully.
Thank you very much for your explanation.
You are the best teacher I have ever seen.
1 Like
Hayden November 7, 2018, 4:46am #5
My pleasure FooChi.
Altered tones and ‘colours’ are a wonderful area to study… there’s lots of fantastic sounds
for you to explore so have fun with that stuff!
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