Explore scales · Ukulele
C altered scale on ukulele
C altered uses C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, B♭. The open G string is not in the scale, so mute it or use fretted notes.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the C altered scale on ukulele?
C altered in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 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 C string at fret 0 and the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2 | F♭, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C 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 G string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C altered in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 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 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, F♭ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C altered in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 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 E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | E♭, F♭, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
C altered is the seventh mode of D♭ melodic minor, sharing the same notes. It differs from C locrian by lowering the fourth degree from F to F♭, which creates a major third and a diminished fifth. The scale contains a tritone between C and G♭ and has no leading tone. Compare it with C locrian to hear the ♭4 against the natural 4.
When to use it
C altered fits dominant chords like C 7th flat 5 and C 7th sharp 5. Use it over C7 in jazz and fusion when you want altered tensions. It also works over C♯ minor and E♭ minor progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 5, keeping the shape compact for fast dominant runs.
Common questions
What notes are in C altered?
C altered contains C, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, and B♭. The scale has a minor second, minor third, major third, diminished fifth, augmented fifth, and minor seventh.
Which chords does C altered fit?
C altered fits dominant chords with altered fifths, such as C 7th flat 5 and C 7th sharp 5. It also works over C♯ minor and E♭ minor chords.
Is C altered the same as C locrian?
No, C altered has an F♭ while C locrian has an F. That one note changes the fourth degree from perfect to diminished.