Explore scales · Ukulele
A altered scale on ukulele
A altered uses A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G. Its half-step pairs and tritone give dominant lines a tense, outside sound.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the A altered scale on ukulele?
A altered in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A altered in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A altered in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A altered in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9, 10 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A altered in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
A altered is the seventh mode of B♭ melodic minor, sharing the same notes. It differs from A locrian by lowering the fourth degree from D to D♭, which creates a major third and a diminished fifth. The scale contains a tritone between A and E♭ and has no leading tone. Compare it with A locrian to hear the ♭4 against the natural 4.
When to use it
A altered fits dominant chords like A 7th flat 5 and A 7th sharp 5. Use it over A7 in jazz and fusion when you want altered tensions. It also works over B♭ minor and C minor progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 2, keeping the shape compact for fast dominant runs.
Common questions
What notes are in A altered?
A altered contains A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G. The scale has a minor second, minor third, major third, diminished fifth, augmented fifth, and minor seventh.
Which chords does A altered fit?
A altered fits dominant chords with altered fifths, such as A 7th flat 5 and A 7th sharp 5. It also works over B♭ minor and C minor chords.
Is A altered the same as A locrian?
No, A altered has a D♭ while A locrian has a D natural. That one note changes the fourth degree from perfect to diminished.