E 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
E 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

1Eroot
b2Fminor 2nd
#2Gaug 2nd
3G#major 3rd
b5Bbdim 5th
#5B#aug 5th
b7Dminor 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
E
H
F
W
G
H
G#
W
Bb
W
B#
W
D

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IEnominal centretonic
IIIG#defines modal qualitythird

Typical resolutions & tensions

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

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how E 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmEmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

Open Trainer

Frequently Asked Questions