The Altered Scale

Since we have been looking at altered chords recently, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the altered scale and see how the altered scale can be used in jazz. The great thing about the altered scale is that is contains all off the possible chord alterations (b5, #5, b9, #9) within the scale and so you can use it to play over any altered chord you like.

The altered scale is the seventh mode of the melodic minor scale and is sometimes also called the super locrian scale or Melodic minor mode seven. The altered scale is a seven-note scale that differs from the locrian mode in having a lowered fourth scale degree.

The notes of the C altered scale are

C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭ and B♭.

Try playing the altered scale over the V chord in a standard II V I progression and you will immediately hear the jazzy sound of thie altered scale.