How do jazz musicians pick chords and scales?

1. How do I know what scale to play jazz?
2. Do jazz musicians improvise on chord progressions?
3. Which scale is best for jazz?

How do I know what scale to play jazz?

IDENTIFY

1. Ionian: Starts on the first note – C.
2. Dorian: Starts on the second note – D.
3. Phrygian: Starts on the third note – E.
4. Lydian: Starts on the fourth note – F.
5. Mixolydian: Starts on the fifth note – G.
6. Aeolian: Starts on the sixth note – A.
7. Locrian: Starts on the seventh note – B.

Do jazz musicians improvise on chord progressions?

In jazz, we're usually improvising over the form and chord changes to a song so it's critical that you learn how to play over each element of a form.

Which scale is best for jazz?

Dominant Jazz Scales – The Mixolydian Scale

Often you see these chords used in a 12 bar blues. Jazz is considered a more advanced version of the blues. So having this scale down is essential if you want to get that jazz blues sound into your playing.