Root & scale

C# altered

C♯

C♯dim
D

bii

Dm
D𝄪

#ii

D𝄪m
E♯

III+

E♯aug
F𝄪

#IV

F𝄪maj
A

bVI

Amaj
B

bVII°

Bdim

Fretboard positions

select a scale fingering system to highlight fretting positions

D𝄪4
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
B3
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
F𝄪3
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
D3
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
A2
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
D𝄪2
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
D𝄪
E♯
F♯
F𝄪
G♯
A
A♯
B
C
C♯
D
D♯
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

Listen to the C# altered scale

bpm: 120
start at and

How to use the C# altered scale

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.

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.