Explore scales · Bass
E altered scale on bass guitar
E altered contains E, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D. Box 1 places the root on string 2, 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 E altered scale on bass?
E altered in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 0 and the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E altered in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. 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) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
E altered in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E altered in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
E altered in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E altered lowers the fourth of E locrian to A♭, giving 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. The tritone sits between E and B♭. See E locrian for the natural fourth.
When to use it
E altered fits E 7th flat 5 and E 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over E 7th flat 5 in fusion or avant-garde jazz. The ♭2 and ♭6 create a dark dominant colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 2, fret 2 keeps the scale in a low position for easy fingering.
Common questions
What notes are in E altered?
E altered contains E, F, G, A♭, B♭, C, and D. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It is also called Altered Dominant.
Which chords does E altered fit?
E altered fits E 7th flat 5 and E 7th sharp 5 chords. The scale works over dominant chords with altered fifths. Use it for fusion or avant-garde jazz.
How does E altered differ from E locrian?
E altered lowers the fourth degree from A to A♭. This creates a ♭4 interval instead of a perfect fourth. The rest of the scale matches E locrian.