C Altered Guitar Scale

Guitar scale in 8-string tuning — fretboard diagram

C altered scale — 8-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the C altered scale on 8-string guitar with 24 frets. Notes: E, F#, G#, A#, C, C#, D#.EF#G#A#CC#D#EF#G#A#CC#D#ECC#D#EF#G#A#CC#D#EF#G#A#G#A#CC#D#EF#G#A#CC#D#EF#D#EF#G#A#CC#D#EF#G#A#CC#A#CC#D#EF#G#A#CC#D#EF#G#EF#G#A#CC#D#EF#G#A#CC#D#ECC#D#EF#G#A#CC#D#EF#G#A#F#G#A#CC#D#EF#G#A#CC#D#EF#135791112131517192123

C Altered in 8-string — Notes and Intervals

The C Altered scale is the ultimate dominant scale in jazz. On Guitar, 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: 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)

Also known as: super locrian, diminished whole tone, pomeroy

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in 8-string tuning