Altered Scale (Super Locrian)
Introduction
The Altered Scale, also known as Super Locrian, is the seventh mode of the Melodic Minor scale. It’s the most “altered” sounding mode — containing every possible altered tension over a dominant chord (♭9, ♯9, ♯11, ♭13).
Structure
Formula: 1, ♭2, ♭3, ♭4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7
Interval formula: H – H – H – H – H – H – W
Example:
G♯ Altered Scale (from A Melodic Minor):
G♯ – A – B – C – D – E – F♯
Use Cases
- Jazz over V7alt chords
- Fusion soloing
- Chromatic dominant resolutions
Diatonic Triads
| Degree | Chord Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | Diminished | G♯dim |
| II | Major | A |
| III | Minor | Bm |
| IV | Minor | Cm |
| V | Major | D |
| VI | Minor | Em |
| VII | Major | F♯ |
Diatonic 7th Chords
| Degree | Chord Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | Diminished 7 | G♯dim7 |
| II | Major 7 | Amaj7 |
| III | Minor 7 | Bm7 |
| IV | Minor 7 | Cm7 |
| V | Dominant 7 | D7 |
| VI | Minor 7 | Em7 |
| VII | Major 7 | F♯maj7 |
Common Progressions
- I - V - i: G♯dim - D7 - Am
- I - ii - V: G♯dim - Bm - D7
