4. Scales of Chords
Scales of chords are pairings of six-chords and their diminished chords. The two blend into an 8-note scale — a distinct feature of the Barry Harris method.
Western music is generally based on 7 note scales. Barry Harris says we need an additional note to maintain symmetry and rhythmic balance. Hence, the 8 note scale. (Note: it isn’t a scale in the narrow definition like the major and the dominant).
▪ The Barry Harris 8 note major scale is a major scale with an added note between the 5 and the 6.
The Barry Harris 8 note minor scale is like the Barry Harris major scale, but we flatten the 3rd.
A closer look at the 8 note Barry Harris scale reveals it consists of a diminished chord, and a six-chord.
The diminished chord and the six-chord that goes with it, create what we call: the scale of chords.
▪ The major scale of chords and the minor scale of chords:
In the scale of chords, we can borrow notes from the 6-chord to the diminished or from the diminished to the 6-chord, and resolve (listen carefully, as the borrowed notes “say”: move me, resolve the tension).
Using the scale of chords, and borrowing in the scale of chords, are two central improvisation techniques in traditional Jazz. Every section of a tune (e.g. the ii in a ii-V-I), gets its own scale of chords for improvisation. Find the relevant six-chord (see six chords chapter), improvise and borrow in that section.
Note: a six-chord has 2 notes form one diminished chord and 2 notes from another diminished chord. The third diminished is the diminished of the Scale of Chords.
Another type of improvisation using scales of chords: Play tunes with the melody notes in the highest position of a 6-chord or its diminished chord.