Scale
B♭ Altered Scale
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this scale.
Notes
B♭ · C♭ · C♯ · D · F♭ · F♯ · A♭
Root: B♭
Intervals
1 · ♭2 · ♯2 · 3 · ♭5 · ♯5 · ♭7
How it is built
This scale starts on B♭ and applies the intervals 1, ♭2, ♯2, 3, ♭5, ♯5, ♭7. The result contains 7 distinct pitch classes per octave.
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Guide and musical context
About B♭ Altered Scale
B♭ Altered Scale uses the notes B♭, C♭, C♯, D, F♭, F♯, A♭. Its character is extremely tense because it concentrates altered tones around a dominant.
Character and sound
Extremely tense because it concentrates altered tones around a dominant.
Musical context and history
The altered scale, also called Super Locrian in jazz theory, is the seventh mode of modern melodic minor. It contains the principal altered tensions available over a dominant.
How and where it is used
Use it over 7alt, 7♭9, 7♯9, 7♭5 or 7♯5 chords when maximum tension before resolution is desired.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
A practical way to understand this scale is to compare it with the major and minor scales starting on B♭. The altered notes are exactly what create its characteristic color.
The formula on this page is 1 · ♭2 · ♯2 · 3 · ♭5 · ♯5 · ♭7 and, from B♭, produces the notes B♭ · C♭ · C♯ · D · F♭ · F♯ · A♭.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B♭ Altered Scale?
The notes are B♭, C♭, C♯, D, F♭, F♯, A♭.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · ♭2 · ♯2 · 3 · ♭5 · ♯5 · ♭7.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Extremely tense because it concentrates altered tones around a dominant. Use it over 7alt, 7♭9, 7♯9, 7♭5 or 7♯5 chords when maximum tension before resolution is desired.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.