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C altered pentatonic scale

The C altered pentatonic scale is made of the notes C, E♭, F♭, G♭, B♭. It has 5 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 ♭3 ♭4 ♭5 ♭7.

Pentatonic · 5 notes

Note names
  1. 1C
  2. ♭3E♭
  3. ♭4F♭
  4. ♭5G♭
  5. ♭7B♭

PatternW+H – H – W – 2W – W(W = whole step, H = half step)

Five notes with no half steps: easy to use and found in every genre. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Mode and chords

Five notes of the altered scale, also called the super Locrian pentatonic. It highlights the tensions of the altered dominant (7alt).

Used overCm7♭5Cdim

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the C altered pentatonic scale?
The notes are C, E♭, F♭, G♭, B♭.
What is the pattern of the C altered pentatonic scale?
The sequence of steps is W+H – H – W – 2W – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭3 ♭4 ♭5 ♭7.
Which chords is the C altered pentatonic scale used over?
It is used over Cm7♭5, Cdim: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.