C# Altered Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
C# Altered in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The C# Altered scale is the ultimate dominant scale in jazz. On Guitar, its notes are C#, D, E, F, G, A, B. 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#, D, E, F, G, A, B
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.
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
- C# Altered in Standard Tuning
- C# Altered in Drop D
- C# Altered in DADGAD
- C# Altered in Open G
- C# Altered in Baritone (B Standard)
- C# Altered in 7-string
- C# Altered in 8-string
- C# Altered in Drop C
- C# Altered in Drop B
- C# Altered in Half Step Down
- C# Altered in Open E
- C# Altered in Open A
- C# Altered in Double Drop D
- C# Altered in Open C