C Altered Cavaquinho Scale
Cavaquinho scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
C Altered in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The C Altered scale is the ultimate dominant scale in jazz. On Cavaquinho, its notes are C, Db, D#, E, F#, Ab, Bb. It contains every possible altered tension, making it sound extremely dissonant and complex. It is used by professional improvisers to create maximum tension over a dominant chord before a satisfying resolution. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Post-Bop, Contemporary. Notable players include John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea. Use over 7alt, 7#9, 7b9, 7#5, 7b5 chords. The definitive scale for altered dominant chords that resolve to minor. Play C Altered over C7alt resolving to Fm.
Notes: C, Db, D#, E, F#, Ab, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 2A, 3M, 4A, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 #3 4 #5 b6 b7
Formula: H-W-H-W-W-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Standard (D-B-G-D)
Also known as: super locrian, diminished whole tone, pomeroy