Explore scales · Guitar
A altered scale on guitar
A altered uses A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G. Its half-step start makes Box 1 a compact way to target altered fifths.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A altered scale on guitar?
A altered in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 4 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A altered in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A altered in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A altered in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A altered in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
A altered is the seventh mode of B♭ melodic minor. It lowers every scale degree except the root, giving 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. Compared with A locrian, the fourth is flattened from D to D♭. The half-whole pattern H, W, H, W, W, W, W creates a dense, tense sound.
When to use it
Use A altered over A7♭5 or A7♯5 chords in jazz, fusion, and bebop. It fits dominant chords that resolve to D minor or D major. The altered fifths and ninths add tension before a ii–V–I in D. Try it over A 7th flat 5 or A 7th sharp 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 6, fret 5 and covers frets 1–4, making the half-step from A to B♭ easy to hear and finger.
Common questions
What notes are in A altered?
A altered contains A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G. The formula is 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It is the seventh mode of B♭ melodic minor.
Which chords does A altered fit?
A altered fits dominant chords with altered fifths, such as A7♭5 and A7♯5. It also works over A7♭9 and A7♯9. These chords typically resolve to D minor or D major.
How does A altered differ from A locrian?
A altered has a flattened fourth (D♭) while A locrian has a perfect fourth (D). The rest of the notes are identical. This single change makes altered sound more dissonant.
What is the step pattern for A altered?
The step pattern is H, W, H, W, W, W, W. Starting on A, that gives A–B♭–C–D♭–E♭–F–G. The half steps fall between the first two and third and fourth degrees.