About the A Altered scale
A Altered is used for jazz solos over altered dominant chords. Think of it as the altered dominant scale, a major third surrounded by every tension raised or lowered. It is A Locrian with the fourth lowered.
Its notes are A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G. The formula is H W H W W W W. It is the seventh mode of B♭ Melodic Minor Ascending.
Also called Super Locrian and Altered Dominant.
The scale draws three black keys from the piano, B♭, D♭, and E♭.
Chords in the key of A Altered
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
Position 2 of 3
A diminished over C (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
B flat minor over D flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
C minor over E flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
D flat augmented over F (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
E flat over G (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
F over A (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
G diminished over B flat (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A Altered
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
A minor seven flat five
B flat minor major seven
C minor seven
D flat major seven sharp five
E flat seven
F seven
G minor seven flat five
Progressions in A Altered
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AA | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BbB♭ | Minor 2nd |
| 3 | CC | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | DbD♭ | Diminished 4th |
| 5 | EbE♭ | Diminished 5th |
| 6 | FF | Minor 6th |
| 7 | GG | Minor 7th |
| Steps | H W H W W W W |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 1-2-1-2-2-2-2 |
| Degrees | 1 ♭2 ♭3 ♭4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | A | B flat | C | D flat | E flat | F | G | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Altered in other keys
C Altered scaleD flat Altered scaleD Altered scaleE flat Altered scaleE Altered scaleF Altered scaleG flat Altered scaleG Altered scaleA flat Altered scaleB flat Altered scaleB Altered scale
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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