Colour key
R234p567Each colour is a scale degree, counted from the key. A ♭ or ♯ note keeps its degree's colour: ♭3 is still amber.
A Altered
♭9, ♯9, ♭5 and ♯5: every tension altered. Maximum dominant tension.
Where you hear it: Over 7alt chords resolving to I.
Step pattern H – W – H – W – W – W – W
- Parent scale: B♭ melodic minor (starts on its 7th degree)
- Compared with A major: ♭2 B → B♭, ♭3 C♯ → C, ♭4 D → D♭, ♭5 E → E♭, ♭6 F♯ → F, ♭7 G♯ → G
- Compared with A natural minor: ♭2 B → B♭, ♭4 D → D♭, ♭5 E → E♭
A Altered on the guitar
Pick a position below to outline it on the neck.
in the pentatonic r ♭3 ♭4 ♭5 ♭7: playedother notes of Altered: not playedPlay runs up the position from its lowest note and back down; Sample melody plays a short tune using only its notes. Tap a position's name to see it on the neck.
Modes with the same notes as A Altered
Every chord in A Altered
- Am7♭51/12easyfret 5· shell
- B♭m(maj7)1/6mediumfret 1
- Cm71/15easyfret 3· shell
- D♭maj7♯51/10easyfret 9· shell
- E♭71/20easyfret 8· shell
- F71/18easyfret 1· shell
- Gm7♭51/15easyfret 3· shell
Each chord stacks every other note of the scale (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th). Tap a row to hear it.
Iconic progressions in A Altered
A few well-known chord loops that bring out this scale’s sound. Play one through, or tap a chord to hear it.
i° – ♭VI
The altered scale is made for dominant 7th chords that resolve; played as a home key it is just tension. A half-diminished chord and a ♭VI dominant 7th keep that going.
♭VI – ♭V – i°
Two dominant 7ths sliding down a whole step, then home. Each dominant 7th is a chord the altered scale fits.
Sus and extension chords from each chord
From Adim you can go through the 2nd of the scale to sus2 and 9 chords, through the 4th to sus4 and 11, and so on. All seven chords of A Altered.
Hover or focus a small bubble for what it is, click to keep the note open.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
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Closest shape: leaves out a colour note.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.