Bb Altered (super Locrian)

The 7th mode of melodic minor; every dominant degree except the root and 3rd is altered.

Octaves

Musical context

How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Name
Bb Altered (super Locrian)
Family
Melodic scales
Note count
7
Step formula
H – W – H – W – W – W – W
Numeric formula
0-1-2-1-2-2-2-2

Notes & degrees

1Bbroot
b2Cbminor 2nd
#2C#aug 2nd
3Dmajor 3rd
b5Fbdim 5th
#5F#aug 5th
b7Abminor 7th

Construction

Overview
The 7th mode of melodic minor; every dominant degree except the root and 3rd is altered.
Application in music
The seventh degree of melodic minor. Sits over V7alt (b9, #9, b5, #5).
Interval formula
Bb
H
Cb
W
C#
H
D
W
Fb
W
F#
W
Ab

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IBbnominal centretonic
IIIDdefines modal qualitythird

Typical resolutions & tensions

IBbBb
IICbCb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Bb Altered (super Locrian) looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmBbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
2 flats (Bb, Eb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions