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