A Altered Guitar Scale

A Altered in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals

The A Altered scale is the ultimate dominant scale in jazz. On Guitar, its notes are A, Bb, C, C#, D#, F, G. 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: A, Bb, C, C#, D#, F, G

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: Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)

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

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

• A Altered in Standard Tuning
• A Altered in Drop D
• A Altered in DADGAD
• A Altered in Open G
• A Altered in Baritone (B Standard)
• A Altered in 7-string
• A Altered in 8-string
• A Altered in Drop C
• A Altered in Drop B
• A Altered in Open D
• A Altered in Half Step Down
• A Altered in Open E
• A Altered in Open A
• A Altered in Open C

← All Guitar scales in Double Drop D tuning