D♯ Altered scale
The D♯ Altered scale is a 7-note altered scale built on the root D♯. Its notes are D♯, E, F♯, G, A, B and C♯. 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 D♯ 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 D♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where D♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
D♯ Altered on the piano
D♯ Altered on the guitar
D♯ Altered on the staff
Hear the D♯ Altered scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the D♯ Altered scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | D♯(D#) |
| 2 | 2m | 1 | E |
| 3 | 2A | 3 | F♯(F#) |
| 4 | 3M | 4 | G |
| 5 | 4A | 6 | A |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | B |
| 7 | 7m | 10 | C♯(C#) |
Diatonic chords of D♯ 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 D♯ Altered scale
The diatonic chords of D♯ Altered are: i° = D♯°, ii = Em, iii = F♯m, IV+ = G+, V = A, VI = B, vii° = C♯°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D♯ 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
D♯ 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 D♯ Altered
Once you are comfortable with D♯ Altered, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with D♯ Altered and are a natural next step in your study.
Formula & step pattern
The D♯ 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 D♯ Altered scale?
What is the formula for the D♯ Altered scale?
Is D♯ Altered a major or minor scale?
What chords belong to the D♯ Altered scale?
Which genres use D♯ Altered?
How do I practise the D♯ Altered scale?
Take D♯ Altered into your music
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