The 4 note structure or tetrad made up of 1, 3, #11 and b7 is a very useful note set for voicings and improvising over all sorts of dominant 7th chords.
These 4 notes are common tones from both lydian dominant, and altered dominant and the note set is exactly the same for it’s tritone substitution (i.e. C7 = C, E, F#, Bb and F#7 = F#, A#, C, E). I use this note set over tunes that have quickly changing dominant 7th chords like Skippy (T.S. Monk) or turn arounds that are all dominant (Ask Me Now T.S. Monk). The tetrad works great over more open dominant chords (blues, vamps etc.). The tetrad is also found inside the diminished scale and so often works well a minor 3rd above the root (i.e. C7 = Eb7 or Eb, G, A, Db).
Lastly, you can also use the note set over so many other harmonic context including -7b5 chords starting off the natural 9 or b13 (i.e. C-7b5 = Ab7 or Ab, C, D, Gb), major 7 #5 chords starting of the major 7 or the #5, other dominant 7th chords from Whole tone (C, E, F# Bb over Bb7 or Ab7 etc.). The pdfs below outline both the harmonic contexts and 3 nice melodic patterns you can practice to help gain fluidity and internalize this note set or tetrad concept. Use the mp3 to sing along for ear training and to help gain some familiarity with some of the sounds this tetrad creates.
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