Db 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
Db 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

1Dbroot
b2Dminor 2nd
#2Eaug 2nd
3Fmajor 3rd
b5Gdim 5th
#5Aaug 5th
b7Cbminor 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
Db
H
D
W
E
H
F
W
G
W
A
W
Cb

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IDbnominal centretonic
IIIFdefines modal qualitythird

Typical resolutions & tensions

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

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how Db 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmDbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

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Frequently Asked Questions