Join me for a 10 day practise challenge to get to know real well the diminished 6th scale.
The diminished 6th scale is also known as the Major bebop scale and most famously taught by Barry Harris.
Here, I will break down for you into bite size pieces over ten days to really get to know the diminished 6th scale in every key and how to start applying it to your playing.
Day one – the diminished 6th scale in all 12 keys
Day two – the diminished 6th scale (Contrary motion) in all 12 keys
Day three – the diminished 6th scale (contrary motion plus a 3rd)
Day four – Major 6th and Diminished 7th chords in root position
Day five – Major 6th and Diminished 7th chords in Axis of 3rd voicing
Day six – Major 7 and Dominant 7th chords in Axis of 3rd Voicing
Day seven – Improvising (up and down the scale starting on chord tones)
Day eight – improvising up and down the arpeggios
Day nine – the standard Blame it on my youth
Day ten – the standard Someday my prince will come
diminished 6th scale. Here’s the link to the PDF WORKBOOK
Day One – The Diminished 6th Scale Intro
In this tutorial we begin to learn about the diminished 6th scale made famous by Barry Harris and start to play it one handed in all 12 keys. Don’t forget to download the workbook to help you out.
Day Two -The Diminished 6th scale contrary motion
In this tutorial we play the scale in contrary motion
Day Three -The Diminished 6th scale contrary motion with 3rds
In this tutorial we play the scale in contrary motion and add a 3rd to the right hand. You really start to see and feel the alternating major and diminished chords now.
Day Four – Chords in root position of the Diminished blues scale
In this tutorial we play the root position Major6 and Diminished7th Chords that naturally happen when playing chords within this scale. Barry Harris is a master at teaching this. Just remember the 5 is followed by the b6.
Day Five – Same chords but now in an axis of 3rd voicing/h2>
We practise the same major 6th and diminished 7th chords but in the beautiful sounding axis of a 3rd voicing.
Day Six -The 7th chords
This is where things get really interesting. I talk about it in the tutorial, but basically we end up with a bunch of interesting voicings for the One chord and some awesome dominant 7th chords. Check out the video for a better explanation.
Day Seven -Improvising with the Diminished 6th scale
We also chat briefly about swing (and the history of it) and I give a better explanation to the close relationship between dominant 7th chords going up the diminished 7 (as root notes).