The harmonic minor scale modes will give you 7 more modes for improvising. Once again these are not just for Jazz players. Find the ones that you like and experiment with them.
The one advantage that a Jazz guitarist has over most other players is they always know what chord they are on and what scales they can use making lead work a lot more logical and better sounding.
You don’t have to play Jazz to think like a Jazz guitarist.
Mode Names
These names come from the major scale modes. They are variations of the mojor modes.
This is a way of making them easier to remember.
These names come from the Greek language because they named these modes a long time ago. There are also Greek islands with these names.
Harmonic Minor Scale
This is the main scale. It doesn’t have a mode name like the others
This scale is good for minor and altered dominants. I like this scale the best out of all the minor scales for its unique sound.
Each mode has a link to go into more detail for the individual mode.
Harmonic Minor Scale
Locrian ♯6 Mode
This one is built from the 2nd note of the harmonic minor scale and is good for minor7♭5 chords also called half diminished starting on the root.
It can also be used for minor 6th and dominant 9th chords.
Locrian ♯6 Mode
Ionian ♯5 Mode
This one is built from the 3rd note of the harmonic minor scale and is good for Maj7♯5 chords starting on the root.
Ionian ♯5 Mode
Dorian ♯4 Mode
This mode is good for improvising over minor chords.
Dorian ♯4 Mode
Phrygian Dominant Mode
This mode is good for dominant 7th chords plus altered forms
Phrygian Dominant Mode
Lydian ♯2 Mode
This mode is good for using with major 7th chords
Lydian ♯2 Mode
Harmonic Minor 7th Mode
This mode doesn’t get a special name like the others but it’s good for improvising over diminished 7th chords.
Harmonic Scale 7th Mode