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 6 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 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 E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ altered in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ altered in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the C string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
F♯ altered in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F♯ altered in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 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 G string at fret 11 and the A string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | 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 6 and covers frets 0–3 for easy access to the lower register.
Common questions
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.