Explore scales · Bass
G altered scale on bass guitar
G altered contains G, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, and F. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 3 for a low-position altered shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the G altered scale on bass?
G altered in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to C♭ on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G altered in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 3 and the D string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
G altered in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. 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) | 6, 7, 9 | B♭, C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
G altered in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♭ on the E string at fret 9 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 9, 11 | C♭, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
G altered in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | A♭, B♭, C♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
G altered lowers the fourth of G locrian to C♭, producing 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. The tritone sits between G and D♭. Compare with G locrian to hear the ♭4.
When to use it
G altered fits G 7th flat 5 and G 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over G 7th flat 5 in jazz-rock or fusion. The ♭2 and ♭6 add chromatic tension to dominant lines.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 4, fret 3 keeps the scale in a comfortable low position.
Common questions
What notes are in G altered?
G altered contains G, A♭, B♭, C♭, D♭, E♭, and F. The scale degrees are 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It is also called Altered Dominant.
Which chords does G altered fit?
G altered fits G 7th flat 5 and G 7th sharp 5 chords. The scale works over dominant chords with altered fifths. Use it for jazz-rock or fusion.
How does G altered differ from G locrian?
G altered lowers the fourth degree from C to C♭. This creates a ♭4 interval instead of a perfect fourth. The rest of the scale matches G locrian.