Continuous Scale Exercise

Altered and Octatonic Scale over ii^ø7-V⁷-i and ii-V⁷-I

Learning Objectives for the Continuous Scale Exercise

Several standard jazz improvisation methods¹ list the continuous scale exercise as one of the main exercises to master. It can be adapted for beginners and more advanced students. The example above only uses two chord progressions with an altered chord resolution going to a minor or major chord. The preceding ii will give away the continuation of the exercise and could be left out.

Randomized Chord Progressions

When the two progressions are randomized, the student (intermediate to advanced in this case, especially if played in thumb position) has to make minor adjustments in bar three when resolving. This helps students rely on their ears to anticipate the resolution and trains them to differentiate altered chords and their respective resolutions.

This exercise can easily be extended, and the evaluation and learning points can be gradually integrated and checked by adding more chord progressions or more difficult ones. The student can use the same exercise to train at home and during class.