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| Lesson Twentyfour • The Altered Scale |
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The Altered Scale is the subject of much mystery and conjecture. What is being altered exactly? This month, we'll remove the veil of ignorance surrounding this important musical structure. The Altered Scale is the equivalent of a Dominant 7 chord with b9, #9, #4, and b6. There is no natural 5th degree present. One idea that is part of the jazz canon exemplifies the connection between the altered scale and its melodic minor parent: |
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An easy way to remember the Altered Scale is to think of the Melodic Minor Scale built on the flat 9th degree of the dominant chord, which makes it the seventh mode of the Melodic Minor scale, in this case C-: |
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One idea that is part of the jazz canon exemplifies the connection between the altered scale and its melodic minor parent: |
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| The above example clearly outlines C- over the B7 alt. This usage is ubiquitous. That last sentence was sponsored by the word "ubiquitous." Here's another, not-as-cliche example of a ii-7 V7 I progression using the Altered Scale over the V chord: | ||
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| Until
next time, AG |
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