F 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
F 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

1Froot
b2Gbminor 2nd
#2G#aug 2nd
3Amajor 3rd
b5Cbdim 5th
#5C#aug 5th
b7Ebminor 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
F
H
Gb
W
G#
H
A
W
Cb
W
C#
W
Eb

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IFnominal centretonic
IIIAdefines modal qualitythird

Typical resolutions & tensions

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

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how F 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmFmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
1 flat (Bb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

Open Trainer

Frequently Asked Questions