A♭ Altered scale
The A♭ Altered scale is a 7-note altered scale built on the root A♭. Its notes are A♭, B𝄫, C♭, D𝄫, E𝄫, F♭ and G♭. Seventh mode of melodic minor (super-Locrian) — every available alteration on a dominant: ♭9, ♯9, ♯11, ♭13. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make A♭ Altered a great tool for improvising and composing.
The Altered scale is the go-to choice over a V7alt chord in jazz. Every note that can be altered on a dominant is altered, making it the most tense and most resolution-hungry scale in the modal canon. Built on the root A♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
A♭ Altered on the piano
A♭ Altered on the guitar
A♭ Altered on the staff
Hear the A♭ Altered scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the A♭ Altered scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | A♭(Ab) |
| 2 | 2m | 1 | B𝄫(Bbb) |
| 3 | 2A | 3 | C♭(Cb) |
| 4 | 3M | 4 | D𝄫(Dbb) |
| 5 | 4A | 6 | E𝄫(Ebb) |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | F♭(Fb) |
| 7 | 7m | 10 | G♭(Gb) |
Diatonic chords of A♭ Altered
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
How to use the A♭ Altered scale
The diatonic chords of A♭ Altered are: i° = A♭°, ii = B𝄫m, iii = C♭m, IV+ = D𝄫+, V = E𝄫, VI = F♭, vii° = G♭°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A♭ Altered. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
The Altered scale is the go-to choice over a V7alt chord in jazz. Every note that can be altered on a dominant is altered, making it the most tense and most resolution-hungry scale in the modal canon.
Practice tips
Practise the altered scale exclusively over altered V7 chords. Resolve every altered tone (♭9 → root, ♯9 → ♭3 of the I chord) to feel why this scale is built for tension and release.
Famous songs
A♭ Altered appears throughout the altered scale is the go-to choice over a v7alt chord in jazz. every note that can be altered on a dominant is altered, making it the most tense and most resolution-hungry scale in the modal canon. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Scales related to A♭ Altered
Once you are comfortable with A♭ Altered, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with A♭ Altered and are a natural next step in your study.
Formula & step pattern
The A♭ Altered scale follows the seventh mode of melodic minor — root, ♭9, ♯9, 3, ♯11, ♭13, ♭7, packing every common dominant alteration into one scale. Step pattern: H - W - H - W - W - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 2A · 3M · 4A · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭ Altered scale?
What is the formula for the A♭ Altered scale?
Is A♭ Altered a major or minor scale?
What chords belong to the A♭ Altered scale?
Which genres use A♭ Altered?
How do I practise the A♭ Altered scale?
Take A♭ Altered into your music
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