Go deeper or further?

How many scales do I need to know?

Unless you want to dive deep into hardcore jazz improvisation you don’t need to bother learning all modes from the Harmonic Minor scale and its cousin the Melodic Minor scale.

To learn just the Phrygian Dominant scale and use that with all other natural modes:

Aeolian, Dorian, Phrygian, Ionian, Mixolydian and Lydian will get you very far in improvising solos and writing melodies.

Going further than this will probably just get you to a point were you play “over the audience head”.

Above is a video performance of Allan Holdsworth, Allan does go outside the major scale as well as the harmonic minor and melodic minor scale.

In fact, Allan has developed his own scales, have a listen and see what you think.

Allan Holdsworth Scales

Allan has taken modal phrasing and substitution to a different level.

If you feel that Allan’s way is your way, then do start by getting the basics down first.

Every shape need to be as obvious as a color is to the painter.

From this point we can go many places, but without it we are very likely to just get lost, not a good idea in jazz!

There are hundreds of fantastic Jazz guitar players around.

If you think Allan is a bit too extreme, then try Scott Henderson or Pat Matheny.