Altered Scale Guitar in Country Music: Understanding the altered scale on guitar can be challenging for many musicians. Often, it’s described as the seventh mode of the melodic minor scale, or advised to play the melodic minor scale a half-step higher than the chord root to achieve the altered scale. However, putting this into practice in real-time can be quite tricky when you’re actually trying to use the scale.
What is the altered scale for guitar in Country Music?
The altered scale is commonly utilized when soloing over altered dominant chords like E7#9, E7b9, E7#5, or E7b5, as it includes all these specific alterations. To make it easier to understand in relation to chords, think of the scale in this sequence: 1, b9, #9, 3, b5, #5, b7. This layout helps you see how it fits with the altered chords. Though the altered scale is primarily found in jazz and fusion, it can also be used to inject some unusual, “outside” sounds into blues. Since it contains the 1, 3, and b7 of a dominant chord, it works well, leading into how I approach this scale on the guitar.
I tend to view the altered scale as a combination of the 1, 3, and b7 from a dominant 7 chord, paired with the minor pentatonic scale that starts on the b3 of the root. It’s easier to grasp this idea with a visual guide:
Altered scale for guitar
In the diagram, the light blue notes mark the intervals of an E7 chord (1, 3, b7), and the G Minor Pentatonic is added because G acts as the b3 (#9) of E. This minor pentatonic pattern delivers all the outer intervals (b5, #5, b9, #9) and includes one chord tone, the b7. Using this approach allows you to craft solos over altered dominant chords, highlighting the altered tones rather than glossing over them.
The gray intervals indicate chord tones not directly used in the chord, but when you blend all the colored notes as a scale, you form the complete altered scale, which is also the seventh mode of the melodic minor scale.
Here’s an alternative shape to explore:
This version is located at the 12th fret, but the concept and color coding remain consistent. As previously mentioned, this box can also be used to add some unconventional sounds to a regular blues, as it integrates seamlessly with the E Minor Pentatonic shape.
Reapplying familiar concepts in new contexts is a powerful musical tool.
The altered scale guitar technique has been weaving its unique sound into the tapestry of country music, offering a fresh twist on traditional harmonies. This approach utilizes the altered scale, known for its dissonant and tense notes, to add an unexpected flavor to the genre’s typically consonant melodies. As country music continues to evolve, incorporating elements from jazz and blues, the altered scale provides guitarists with new avenues for expression and creativity.
This innovative use of the altered scale not only enriches the harmonic landscape of country music but also attracts a broader audience, captivated by its complex sound dynamics. For aspiring guitarists looking to explore new techniques or fans eager to understand the progressive changes in country music, mastering the altered scale can offer both a challenging and rewarding musical adventure. application of the altered scale in country music, it’s evident that this technique allows artists to craft solos that stand out with their chromaticism and tension, setting their work apart in a genre steeped in tradition.
This fusion not only showcases the versatility of country musicians but also expands the genre’s appeal to include listeners who might not typically engage with country music. Furthermore, the altered scale prompts a deeper emotional response from the audience, resonating through powerful performances that highlight the scale’s dramatic flair