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C altered Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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E4
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
B♭
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
E2
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
F♯
A♭
B♭
C
D♭
D♯
E
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C altered

The Altered scale is a seven-note scale also known as the Super Locrian scale. It's used in jazz and modern music for its tense and dissonant sound.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

C

I°

Cdim
D♭

bii

D♭m
D♯

#ii

D♯m
E

III+

Eaug
F♯

#IV

F♯maj
A♭

bVI

A♭maj
B♭

bVII°

B♭dim

Notation

Tab

tip
  • The Altered scale, also known as the Super Locrian scale, is used extensively in jazz over dominant chords, especially in ii-V-I progressions. Focus on its altered tones to add tension.
  • Use the Altered scale to solo over V7alt chords, emphasizing the flat 9th (bII) and sharp 5th (#V) for chromaticism and tension.
  • Incorporate this scale in modern jazz and fusion solos, particularly over dominant 7th chords, to add dissonance and resolve back to tonic chords.
  • Practice blending the Altered scale with diminished or whole-tone scales for complex harmonic explorations in free jazz or avant-garde compositions.
  • This scale works well in creating angular, dissonant lines that build tension before resolving smoothly to major or minor chords in jazz improvisation.

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C altered Scale — guitarscales