Minor scales give a certain feel that you want sometimes. There are three (main) flavors to choose from:
Dorian and melodic minor are the important ones, you can use them on minor 7th and minor 6th chords. Harmonic minor over minor ii-v has a cool sound. The harmonic minor sounds kind of Middle Eastern if you play it straight.
Natural minor is not used very often, maybe over a diatonic sixth chord.
The Harmonic Minor Scale, relative to major is:
1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7 8
“W, H, W, W, H, W, W”
The Melodic Minor Scale is one way ascending and another way descending,
on the way up it has only a minor 3rd relative to the major scale:
1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 8
And descending, the notes of the natural melodic minor scale are played:
8 ♭7 ♭6 5 4 ♭3 2 1
It is done that way for vocalists, so saxophone players really only need to worry about natural minors and harmonic minors. It’s good to understand what a melodic minor scale is though. And you might sing too.
Natural minor (sometimes called ‘pure minor’, relative to the major scale is
1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 8
Hi, I’ve been playing alto saxophone for around ten years now, and I just have to say that this site has been a major help.
At one point I felt like I ran out of things to practice; I didn’t know how to get better but when I found this website I also discovered many new topics I didn’t know about and it improved my sound and overall embouchoure strength.
But I am having problems with my soloing, sometimes I just can’t get a feeling and it just makes my solo completely amateurish but at other times people have said it sounds great. I would really appreciate it if you could hlep me get to a consistant level or improve my soloing ability.
Thanks:
Chester
Hey Chester,
Thanks, glad it’s helping you.
I think just continuing to practice and improving your technique, ear, rhythm, level of comfort, etc will make your solos sound better consistently.
Let me know specifically what’s going wrong and I could probably help.
Also, check out http://mastery.saxstation.com – there’s the class and a few free lessons talking about improvisation on sax.
-Neal
Hi.. Neal,
When I play the melodic minor scales. I can hear “outside sound” on one or two notes G# and F# ascending and decending. Cool..
Thanks Neal
Hey Neal,
Do you Cover all the scales in your class
Or can I get them on your site?
Charlie
Hello Charles,
You can get them if you take a class and/or sign up for Saxophone Tribe.
A few scales are on Sax Station, but not all of them.
Thanks
-Neal
Hello Neal,
I must say your website has been very helpfull. Pls could help with licks or solos that has to do with combinations of either a major scale & a minor, major scale& modes.
Thanks
How i can play solo on saxophond with good tone?
How long have you been playing?