Using major 7 and major 7#5 patterns in jazz standards when improvising
Take a look at this exercise to get a thorough introduction to how and why to use maj7 and maj7#5 patterns when you improvise. These patterns are useful on many chords, here presented with a Fmaj7 and Fmaj7#5 pattern with different fundamentals.
Maj7 patterns in jazz standards
Take a look at (almost) any jazz standard. I bet you can find a major 7 or major 7#5 arpeggios that fits almost all the chords throughout the tune. The tricky part is to keep track of which arpeggio to use on which chord, but that will come naturally after only a few thousand hours of practicing.
Here you find the first part of the jazz ballad Body And Soul with suggested maj7 patterns. Take a listen to the track below and look at the sheet music to get an idea of what it can sound like (the sheet music is played an octave higher on the piano).
You will also find the beginning of All The Things You and a jazz blues in F with my suggestions of what patterns to use. These are my suggestions – you might find other solutions that fit your ears better! Once you get the idea it’s time to move on and try using this technique on any jazz standard. First, do it mechanically, and then try using it as a tool to spice up your improvising with.
Play great,
Anders Larson,
founder of digitaltrombone.com
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