Altered Scale

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Last updated on: 2009-08-19 3:53 PM

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Generally, an altered scale (also called altered dominant scale or super locrian mode) is a seven note scale with a numeric formula of 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8/1 however, it is sometimes written with two second and two fifth degrees minus a fourth and sixth, this is done to highlight the altered tones in both the scale and chord. The altered scale is also the seventh mode of the melodic minor scale.

When a functioning dominant chord has an altered tone (like a 2/9, 2/9, 5 or 5), we need a scale that compliments these alterations, this is where the altered scale comes in. When playing a functioning dominant chord with an alteration, say for instance C⁷⁽⁵⁹⁾, playing a C altered scale over this chord would highlight the 5 and 9 because the altered scale contains both of these notes, the 2 being enharmonic to a 9 and the 6 enharmonic to a 5.

The scale patterns below are referenced as numbers #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 which you will find correspond directly with the chord patterns and reading positions of the same number.

Altered Scale Profile

Numeric Formula	1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8/1
Notation Formula (key of C)	C-D-E-F(E)-G-A-B-C/1
Stepping	half / whole / half / whole / whole / whole / whole
Tonal	semi-tone / tone / semi-tone / tone / tone / tone / tone
Harmonized Triads (key of C)	C / Dmi / Emi / F(E) / G / A / B
Harmonized Tetrads (key of C)	Cmi⁷⁽⁵⁾ / Dmi^(MA7) / Emi⁷ / FMA⁷⁽⁵⁾ / G⁷ / A⁷ / Bmi⁷⁽⁵⁾

Altered Scale Patterns

The scales below are not shown in any particular key, they are patterns which can be moved around the guitar neck freely using the tonic (circled dot) as your navigator. See example below.

How to use
As an example, let's say you require a D major scale
After playing all the major scale patterns, you decide on pattern #2
Pattern #2 has it's root on the 5^th string so you need to find the D note on this string
Click the notes on the neck chart tab and find the D note on the 5^th fret (5^th string)
Now play the D major scale using pattern #2 on the 5^th fret
Use the Octave chart tab to help you remember which notes are where
Use the Scale chart help tab if your a beginner at reading scale charts

Notes on the guitar neck chart (lite version)

Using octaves to learn notes on the guitar neck

First determine which chord you require, let's use a B major chord in this example.
We know the root note is B, (if it were an A major chord the root note would be A and for Cma⁷ it would be C, etc etc)
Using the notes on the guitar neck chart, find the B note on the 6^th string, 7^th fret.
Now using the major scale patterns chart, look for pattern #4 which has it's root note on the 6^th string and play it, your done!
Remember, learning and memorizing notes, chord voicings and scales in this way will improve your playing skills, theoretical knowledge and desirability as a band member.

Altered Scale Audio Sample(s)

To download audio sample(s) for later listening, right click on the MP3 link, then from the context menu that appears select Save Target As (Internet Explorer) or Save Link As (Firefox).

Audio Sample Name	Flash	MP3
C Altered Scale Pattern #4		c-altered-scale-pattern-4.mp3

Related Lessons & Resources

Guitar Lessons
Music Theory
- Flat five substitution
- Harmonizing a major scale (triads)

External Resources

Altered scale at Wikipedia.org