F Altered Guitar Scale — Open G
Guitar scale in Open G tuning — fretboard diagram
F Altered in Open G — Notes and Intervals
The F Altered scale is the ultimate dominant scale in jazz. On Guitar, its notes are F, Gb, G#, A, B, Db, Eb. 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: F, Gb, G#, A, B, Db, Eb
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 G (D-G-D-G-B-D)
Also known as: super locrian, diminished whole tone, pomeroy
About Open G Tuning
Open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D) produces a G major chord when strummed open, making it the definitive tuning for slide guitar and delta blues. The tuning's natural consonance means that barring across any fret gives you a major chord, which is why it's been the backbone of blues and roots music for over a century.
From Robert Johnson to Keith Richards, Open G has shaped some of the most iconic music ever recorded. Keith Richards famously removes the low 6th string entirely in this tuning, creating his signature five-string sound on songs like 'Start Me Up' and 'Brown Sugar'. For slide players, Open G is essential — it allows clean, singing slide lines across all strings with minimal effort.
Notable artists: Keith Richards, Robert Johnson, Ry Cooder, Joni Mitchell, The Black Crowes
Best for: Slide guitar, delta blues, Keith Richards-style rock riffs, and open-string fingerpicking
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- F Altered in Standard Tuning
- F Altered in Drop D
- F Altered in DADGAD
- F Altered in Baritone (B Standard)
- F Altered in 7-string
- F Altered in 8-string
- F Altered in Drop C
- F Altered in Drop B
- F Altered in Open D
- F Altered in Half Step Down
- F Altered in Open E
- F Altered in Open A
- F Altered in Double Drop D
- F Altered in Open C