Scale Cells for Jazz Improvisation

Scale cells are an excellent way to generate ideas in your improvisation. In the video below, I use John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” to illustrate five different scale cell variations. I also go over three different ways that you can practice them. These are great at expanding your ears and your technique on any instrument that you play. Download the PDFs below to follow along with the video. I’m performing them on alto saxophone…so E-flat! Happy practicing!

Scale Cell #1

Scale Cell #2

Scale Cell #3

Scale Cell #4

Scale Cell #5