F# Altered Ukulele Scale
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagram
F# Altered Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F# Altered scale is the ultimate dominant scale in jazz. On Ukulele, its notes are F#, G, A, A#, C, D, E. 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#, G, A, A#, C, D, E
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
Also known as: super locrian, diminished whole tone, pomeroy
How to Play F# Altered on Ukulele
On ukulele, find F# on the fret 5 area, and work through the scale within a four-fret span. You may need to shift positions once to cover all 7 notes. Practice each position separately before linking them together.
The F# Altered scale contains 2 sharps (F#, A#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the F# Altered scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Exotic scales like the Altered often work best as a melodic layer over a single root drone on F#. Let the unique intervals speak for themselves without frequent chord changes.
Ukulele Tips
On ukulele, the F# Altered scale sounds particularly charming when played as a melodic pattern over fingerpicked chord shapes. Try integrating scale tones into your strumming patterns for a more sophisticated sound.
The F# Altered scale contains 7 notes (F#, G, A, A#, C, D, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for F# Altered
The F# Altered scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore F# Altered Further
- Harmonize the F# Altered scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- F# Altered on Guitar
- F# Altered on Bass
- F# Altered on Piano