G♭ Altered
All four altered tensions — ♭9 ♯9 ♯11 ♭13 — over a dominant 7th. The 7th mode of melodic minor.
Audio source: FluidR3_GM SoundFont (public domain)
What notes are in the G♭ Altered scale?
The G♭ Altered scale uses the notes G♭, A𝄫, B𝄫, C𝄫, D𝄫, E𝄫, F♭ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).
What's the Altered scale formula?
The Altered scale follows the interval pattern H W H W W W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on G♭ to get the G♭ Altered scale.
What chords work over G♭ Altered?
Altered works over V7alt — ♭9, ♯9, ♯11, ♭13. The 7th mode of melodic minor; resolves down a half step to the I chord.
How do I finger G♭ Altered on Alto?
Singing scales (solfège) trains pitch accuracy + interval recognition. Use moveable Do (Do = tonic) so any scale starts on Do. The major scale solfège (Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do) is the universal pattern.
When would I use the Altered scale?
All four altered tensions — ♭9 ♯9 ♯11 ♭13 — over a dominant 7th. The 7th mode of melodic minor.