C Altered scale
The C Altered scale is a 7-note altered scale built on the root C. Its notes are C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭ and B♭. 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 C 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 C, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where C is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- C · D♭ · E♭ · F♭ · G♭ · A♭ · B♭
- Formula
- 1P · 2m · 2A · 3M · 4A · 6m · 7m
- Step pattern
- H W H W W W W
- Tonic
- C
C Altered on the piano
C Altered on the guitar
C Altered on the staff
Hear the C Altered scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the C Altered scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | C | |
| 2 | 2m | 1 | D♭(Db) | |
| 3 | 2A | 3 | E♭(Eb) | |
| 4 | 3M | 4 | F♭(Fb) | |
| 5 | 4A | 6 | G♭(Gb) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | A♭(Ab) | |
| 7 | 7m | 10 | B♭(Bb) |
Diatonic chords of C 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 C Altered scale
The diatonic chords of C Altered are: i° = C°, ii = D♭m, iii = E♭m, IV+ = F♭+, V = G♭, VI = A♭, vii° = B♭°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in C 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.
Where you will hear C Altered
C 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.
Formula & step pattern
The C 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.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the C Altered scale?
- The C Altered scale contains C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭ and B♭.
- What is the formula for the C Altered scale?
- C Altered follows the seventh mode of melodic minor — root, ♭9, ♯9, 3, ♯11, ♭13, ♭7, packing every common dominant alteration into one scale.
- Is C Altered a major or minor scale?
- C Altered is a altered scale. Seventh mode of melodic minor (super-Locrian) — every available alteration on a dominant: ♭9, ♯9, ♯11, ♭13.
- What chords belong to the C Altered scale?
- The diatonic chords of C Altered are C°, D♭m, E♭m, F♭+, G♭, A♭, B♭°.
- Which genres use C Altered?
- 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.
- How do I practise the C Altered scale?
- 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.