Exploring Altered Scale Chord Progressions- Unleashing Creative Harmony in Music

What Chords for Altered Scale: Enhancing Your Jazz Improvisation

The altered scale, also known as the super locrian mode, is a powerful tool for jazz improvisation. It offers a unique set of tones that can add a distinctive flavor to your solos. One of the most common questions among jazz musicians is: what chords should I use with the altered scale? In this article, we will explore the various chord progressions that work well with the altered scale, helping you to craft more expressive and compelling improvisations.

The altered scale is essentially a whole tone scale with altered intervals. It consists of the notes: 1, 2, b3, b5, b6, b7, 8. The key to using the altered scale effectively lies in understanding how these notes interact with different chord progressions. Here are some popular chord progressions that pair well with the altered scale:

1. ii-V-I Progression
The most common chord progression in jazz, the ii-V-I, works exceptionally well with the altered scale. In this progression, the altered scale can be used over the dominant chord (V) to create a rich and complex sound. For example, if the V chord is G7, you can use the altered scale (G, A, Bb, D, Eb, F) over the G7 chord.

2. ii-V-I with a II-V-I in the Middle
This progression involves a ii-V-I followed by another ii-V-I. The altered scale can be used over both the V chords in this progression. For instance, if the first V chord is G7 and the second V chord is C7, you can use the altered scale over both G7 and C7.

3. ii-V-I with a ii-V-I in the Middle, followed by a ii-V-I
This progression is similar to the previous one, but with an additional ii-V-I at the end. The altered scale can be used over all three V chords in this progression. For example, if the first V chord is G7, the second V chord is C7, and the third V chord is E7, you can use the altered scale over all three chords.

4. ii-V-I with a ii-V-I in the Middle, followed by a ii-V-I, and then a ii-V-I
This progression is a variation of the previous one, with an additional ii-V-I at the end. The altered scale can be used over all four V chords in this progression. For example, if the first V chord is G7, the second V chord is C7, the third V chord is E7, and the fourth V chord is A7, you can use the altered scale over all four chords.

5. ii-V-I with a ii-V-I in the Middle, followed by a ii-V-I, and then a ii-V-I, and finally a ii-V-I
This progression is a variation of the previous one, with an additional ii-V-I at the end. The altered scale can be used over all five V chords in this progression. For example, if the first V chord is G7, the second V chord is C7, the third V chord is E7, the fourth V chord is A7, and the fifth V chord is D7, you can use the altered scale over all five chords.

By incorporating these chord progressions into your practice, you can develop a deeper understanding of how the altered scale interacts with various harmonic structures. This will enable you to create more dynamic and engaging improvisations in your jazz performances. Remember, the key to mastering the altered scale lies in experimentation and listening to how these chords and scales blend together. Happy improvising!