Jazz Scales for Beginners

The foundational jazz scales over the foundational chords. Adam Maness‘ ultimate course on scales.

Which Scale goes with which Chord?

Sometimes it’s hard to know what notes sound good over certain chords. Nothing feels worse than hitting a “clunker” in the middle of an otherwise beautiful phrase.

Here’s the secret: You’re probably overthinking it!

With Jazz Scales for Beginners, Adam Maness breaks down the most common chord progressions in jazz and which scales professional jazz musicians use as their “sonic color palette” over them. 

  • LEVEL 1
  • 12 videos
  • 2.5 hourS
  • Guided Practice SessionS
  • PDF WORKBOOK
  • Subtitles: English

Meet Your Instructor

As Open Studio’s Creative Director, Adam Maness develops the curriculum of all of the courses, in addition to teaching his own popular course like Magic Voicing SystemPiano Fingering Independence and more.

Adam is a versatile pianist, arranger, composer, and producer whose performances, original compositions, and arrangements have been featured on numerous recordings and on national and international radio and television broadcasts. He is best known as co-founder and composer for the genre-bending chamber ensemble, The 442s.

Course Contents

Start Here

  • Welcome from Adam

Level 1

  • 1. Modes (and how to use them)
  • 2. The Art of Scale Running
  • 3. Adding Gravity

Level 2

  • 4. The Magic Dominant Scale
  • 5. Diminished Scale Basics
  • 6. Lydian Dominants & Tritone Substitutions
  • 7. Rhythm Changes Recap

Level 3

  • 8. Minor 2-5-1's over Autumn Leaves
  • Play Along – Autumn Leaves
  • 9. The Blues is Your Best Friend
  • 10. More Advanced Practice Techniques