Hi Zaz,

I'm often asked:

"How do you know which scale to play when you see a

chord?"
Well in jazz, there's never just one scale you're limited to...
For every chord, there's multiple scales that will work.
But to start, here's the method I suggest you use:

1. Identify the 'chord tones' of the chord (1 3 5 7) and put these

in your scale.

2. Add a whole-step above the 1, 3 and 5, to give your scale its

2, 4 and 6.

I call it the 'chord tone plus whole-step method'.

Examples:
So let's say you see a C minor 7 chord:

Start by finding the chord tones - C Eb G Bb.

Next, add a whole-step above the 1, 3 and 5 - which would give

you D F A:
The scale you end up playing is C Dorian scale - C D Eb F G A Bb.

Now let's say you see a C major 7 chord:

Start by finding the chord tones - C E G B.

Next, add a whole-step above the 1, 3 and 5 - which gives you D

F# A:

The scale you end up playing is C Lydian scale - C D E F# G A B.

Now let's say you see a C7 chord:

Start by finding the chord tones - C E G Bb.

Next, add a whole-step above the 1, 3 and 5 - which gives you D

F# A:

The scale you end up playing is C Lydian-Dominant scale - C D E

F# G A Bb.
This method works for any chord type - including half-diminished
chords, diminished 7 chords, minor-major 7 chords, and so on.

This isn't just a beginner trick - I still use it for most of my

playing, and it generates sophisticated jazz scales every time.

NOTE: In jazz it's common to change scale over every single

chord. Jazz doesn't stay in the same key like other styles of
music, so you'll find yourself repeating this scale generating
process for every single chord.

Practice Tip:

Play through your favorite jazz song. Play the chord symbols in
your left hand (basic voicings are fine), and in your right hand,
run up and down the appropriate scale (using the 'chord tone +
whole-step' method we just discussed) - like this: