Explore scales · Ukulele
F altered scale on ukulele
F altered contains F, G♭, A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, and E♭. Box 1 places the root at string 3, fret 5 for a mid-neck start.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
How do you play the F altered scale on ukulele?
F altered in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 10 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 E string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | C♭, D♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F altered in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 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 C string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6 | C♭, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5 | A♭, B♭♭ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F altered in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 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 C string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | B♭♭, C♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F altered in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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 G string at fret 10 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9, 11 | A♭, B♭♭, C♭ |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
F altered is the seventh mode of G♭ melodic minor, sharing its notes but starting on F. It differs from F locrian by one note: the fourth degree is B♭♭ instead of B♭, creating a major 3rd and a diminished 5th. The scale contains a tritone between F and C♭.
When to use it
F altered fits F 7th flat 5 and F 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over dominant chords in A♭ major or D minor keys. It suits jazz, fusion, and outside blues lines.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 3, fret 5 and covers frets 1–4 for easy access to the lower register.
Common questions
Which chords does F altered fit?
F altered fits F 7th flat 5 and F 7th sharp 5 chords. It also works over F♯ minor and A♭ minor. Use it on dominant-function chords in A♭ major or D minor.
What notes are in F altered?
F altered contains F, G♭, A♭, B♭♭, C♭, D♭, and E♭. The intervals are 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. It has a tritone between F and C♭.
How does F altered differ from F locrian?
F altered has B♭♭, while F locrian has B♭. This changes the fourth degree from perfect to augmented. The altered scale is the seventh mode of G♭ melodic minor.