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The Harmonic Major ScaleB Y MICK GOODRICK

The easiest way to think of the har-manic major scale is to simply lowerthe 6th degree of a major scale: C,0,

E,F, G, Ab , B, C=l, 2, 3, 4, 5, b6, 7, 1. Thelowered 6th tends to make the sound of the

scale a bit darker (that is, lowering the 6thof a C major scale yields F harmonic mi-nor-well do a much more in-depth analy-sis next time). The harmonic major scale

and some of its modes can be very useful in

dealing with certain chords that are difhcultto solo against-the EblE in measure 5, forexample. Youll also have new choices for

certain chords that can be handled with themore conventional scales and modes, so

start working with it on your own.

The notation of the background vamplooks a bit odd. The idea is to sustain as

many notes as possible after each is at-tacked. The notes that are filled in with

Em9 (D melodic minor) (G melodic minor)

black dont have to be sustained. I think the

piece works best at a slower tempo. That

way, youll have more time in each measureto explore soloing with the suggested scales

and modes. Enjoy! 0

Mick Goodrick teaches at theNew England Conservatory

and is the author of The Ad-vancing Guitarist [Hal

Leonard]. His latest album,Biorhythms, is on CMP (1.55

W. 72ndSt. Suite 704, New

Ebm/Em (C lydian) ( E melodic minor) (A harmonic minor) Am7

Am/G (D lydian b7) ( G harmonic major) Gmaj9 Cmaj9

wbg) Fmaj7 Wb9) G13b9

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EX. 3

Ex. 4

EX. 5 Eadd9 Gm7 Abaug7 Bbmaj7 t