What’s The Altered Scale?

The Altered Scale, sometimes referred to as Super Locrian mode, Locrian b4 or Diminished Whole-tone, is the seventh mode of the melodic minor scale. The formula is 1 (root) – b2 (minor second) – b3 (minor third) – b4 (diminished fourth) – b5 (diminished fifth) – b6 (minor sixth) and b7 (minor seventh). When played over dominant 7 chords it highlights altered notes (hence its name) as b9, #9, b5, #11 and b13. Its a Seventh mode of Melodic Minor

Altered (Super Locrian) Scale Formula

The Altered Scale is sometimes used to solo over Dominant chords to create tension in jazz lines indeed, it contains one altered fifth (b5), two altered ninth (b9 and #9) and one altered thirteenth (b13).

How To Play The Altered (Super Locrian) Scale On Guitar?

There are many ways to play the altered scale on a guitar. However, here are some suggested patterns. Remember that you have to learn and transpose them in all twelve keys by moving the tonic to the desired note keeping the same intervals.