Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ altered scale on guitar
F♯ altered uses F♯, G, A, B♭, C, D, E. Its Box 1 shape places the root on string 6, fret 2 for a low altered run.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ altered scale on guitar?
F♯ altered in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ altered in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F♯ 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 B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F♯ altered in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
F♯ altered in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 14 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ altered is the seventh mode of G melodic minor. The scale spells 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7, with B♭ as the ♭4 and C as the ♭5. Compared with F♯ locrian, the fourth drops from B to B♭. The pattern H, W, H, W, W, W, W keeps half steps at the start and middle.
When to use it
Use F♯ altered over F♯7♭5 or F♯7♯5 chords in jazz, fusion, and bebop. It fits dominant chords that resolve to B minor or B major. The altered fifths and ninths add tension before a ii–V–I in B. Try it over F♯ 7th flat 5 or F♯ 7th sharp 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 6, fret 2 and covers frets 0–3, making the half-step from F♯ to G easy to hear and finger.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ altered?
F♯ altered contains F♯, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. The formula is 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It is the seventh mode of G melodic minor. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ altered fit?
F♯ altered fits dominant chords with altered fifths, such as F♯7♭5 and F♯7♯5. It also works over F♯7♭9 and F♯7♯9. These chords typically resolve to B minor or B major.
How does F♯ altered differ from F♯ locrian?
F♯ altered has a flattened fourth (B♭) while F♯ locrian has a perfect fourth (B). The rest of the notes are identical. This single change makes altered sound more dissonant.
What is the step pattern for F♯ altered?
The step pattern is H, W, H, W, W, W, W. Starting on F♯, that gives F♯–G–A–B♭–C–D–E. The half steps fall between the first two and third and fourth degrees.