Explore scales · Bass
B altered scale on bass guitar
B altered contains B, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 for an open-position altered shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the B altered scale on bass?
B altered in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B altered in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B altered in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B altered in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 7 and the D string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B altered in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
B altered lowers the fourth of B locrian to E♭, giving 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. The tritone appears between B and F. Compare with B locrian to hear the ♭4.
When to use it
B altered fits B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over B 7th flat 5 in fusion or post-bop. The ♭2 and ♭6 add chromatic colour to dominant lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3, fret 2 keeps the scale within a five-fret span for easy fingering.
Common questions
What notes are in B altered?
B altered contains B, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It is also called Altered Dominant.
Which chords does B altered fit?
B altered fits B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5 chords. The scale works over dominant chords with altered fifths. Use it for fusion or post-bop.
How does B altered differ from B locrian?
B altered lowers the fourth degree from E to E♭. This creates a ♭4 interval instead of a perfect fourth. The rest of the scale matches B locrian.