Chord scales combine the notes of a seventh chord with its available tensions. There are two types of notes:
• Chord tones: 1, 3/♭3, 5/♭5, 7/♭7
• Non-chord tones: tensions and chromatic (avoid) notes
Tensions are generally a major 2ⁿᵈ above the root, 3ʳᵈ, and 5ᵗʰ. Notes a minor 2ⁿᵈ above a chord tone are usually avoid notes. Each seventh-chord quality has its own chord scale.
Watch the video below to learn the fastest way to derive the chord scales for the diatonic chords in C major.
Major Seventh Chord Scale
Formula: 1-3-5-7-9-♯11-13
Tensions: 9, ♯11, 13
Construction: Cmaj7 + D major triad = C-E-G-B + D-F♯-A
Scale: Lydian (4ᵗʰ mode of the Major Scale)
Avoid note: 4
Minor Seventh Chord Scale
Formula: 1-♭3-5-♭7-9-11-13
Tensions: 9, 11, 13
Construction: Cm7 + D minor triad = C-E♭-G-B♭ + D-F-A
Scale: Dorian (2ⁿᵈ mode of the Major Scale)
Dominant Seventh Chord Scale
Formula: 1-3-5-♭7-9-♯11-13
Tensions: 9, ♯11, 13
Construction: C7 + D major triad = C-E-G-B♭ + D-F♯-A
Scale: Lydian Dominant (Lydian ♭7), 4ᵗʰ mode of Melodic Minor
Avoid note: 4
Half-Diminished Seventh Chord Scale
Formula: 1-♭3-♭5-♭7-9-11-♭13
Tensions: 9, 11, ♭13
Construction: Cm7♭5 + D diminished triad = C-E♭-G♭-B♭ + D-F-A♭
Scale: Locrian ♮2 (Aeolian ♭5), 6ᵗʰ mode of Melodic Minor
Minor Major Seventh Chord Scale
Formula: 1-♭3-5-7-9-11-13
Tensions: 9, 11, 13
Construction: CmMaj7 + D minor triad = C-E♭-G-B + D-F-A
Scale: Melodic Minor (1ˢᵗ mode)
Augmented Major Seventh/Major Seventh #5 Chord Scale
Formula: 1-3-♯5-7-9-♯11-13
Tensions: 9, ♯11, 13
Construction: Cmaj7♯5 + D major triad = C-E-G♯-B + D-F♯-A
Exception: Add a minor 2ⁿᵈ above ♯5 to obtain 13.
Scale: Lydian ♯5 (3ʳᵈ mode of Melodic Minor)
Altered Dominant Chord Scale
Formula: 1-3-♭5-♭7-♭9-♯9-♭13
Tensions: ♭9, ♯9, ♭13
Construction: C7alt = C-E-G♭-B♭-D♭-D♯-A♭
Scale: Altered Scale (7ᵗʰ mode of Melodic Minor)
Diminished Seventh Chord Scale
Formula: 1-♭3-♭5-𝄫7-9-11-♭13-7
Tensions: 9, 11, ♭13, 14
Construction: Cdim7 + Ddim7 = C-E♭-G♭-A + D-F-A♭-B
Scale: Symmetrical Diminished (Whole-Half)
Only three diminished scales exist: C, C♯, and D.
