A# Altered Guitar Scale — Open D

Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram

A# altered scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the A# altered scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: D, E, F#, G#, A#, B, C#.DEF#G#A#BC#DEF#G#A#BA#BC#DEF#G#A#BC#DEF#F#G#A#BC#DEF#G#A#BC#DEDEF#G#A#BC#DEF#G#A#BA#BC#DEF#G#A#BC#DEF#DEF#G#A#BC#DEF#G#A#B1357911121315171921

A# Altered in Open D — Notes and Intervals

The A# Altered scale is the ultimate dominant scale in jazz. On Guitar, its notes are A#, B, B##, D, E, 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#, B, B##, D, E, 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: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)

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

About Open D Tuning

Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.

Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.

FolkBluesSlide GuitarAcousticSinger-SongwriterCountry

Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James

Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Open D tuning