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D Altered Scale: Degrees, Notes, Intervals, and Practical Use

D Altered — V7alt from “D”, full of colors (#9/b9/#5/b5). Strongly resolves, needs clear voice leading. Keep altered tones in upper register.

To visually explore a scale, use the interactive circle of fifths — it shows the relationships between notes, chords, and degrees, helping you understand its structure. Next to the circle, you’ll find the guitar fretboard, where all notes of the selected mode are displayed in the same colors as on the circle. Below, you can see the chords that belong to this scale — with degree labels and chord shape thumbnails that you can open and listen to. You can change the guitar tuning, fretboard orientation, and the display mode for notes or intervals. Detailed instructions on how to use the tool are available on the main Circle of Fifths page — check it out to make the most of all its features.

D Altered (Super Locrian) · Tense jazz

bvii°i°bivbVbiibVIbiiiCGDAEBGbDbAbEbBbFdimdimaugMmMm

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0123456FGbAbBbCDEbFAbBbCDEbFGbAbBbCDEbFGbAbBbEBGDAE
i
Ddim
0123452410EBGDAE
bii
Ebm
0123452431EBGDAE
biii
Fm
012345111431EBGDAE
biv
Gbaug
01234543012EBGDAE
bV
Ab
01234511134EBGDAE
bVI
Bb
01234514321EBGDAE
bvii
Cdim
0123453421EBGDAE

Formula and Intervals of the D Altered Scale

Degree formula: 1 — b2 — b3 — b4 — b5 — b6 — b7. Interval pattern between adjacent degrees: 1 — 2 — 1 — 2 — 2 — 2 — 2. The scale includes the following notes:

  • D — tonic, the main anchor of the mode.

  • Eb — spicy minor touch, characteristic of the Phrygian sound.

  • F — minor third, lyrical tone and soft drama.

  • Gb — muted shade near 4, apply with care.

  • Ab — diminished fifth, avoid in bass for transparency.

  • Bb — minor sixth, soft pull to 5 and warm tone.

  • C — dominant pull toward tonic, typical of Mixolydian.

Together these degrees form the core of the D Altered mode and define its musical character.

Chords within the D Altered Scale

Below are the basic diatonic chords that naturally occur on each degree. Use them as a palette for your progressions, keep the bass stable, and highlight color tones in the upper voice.

  • Ddim — 1

  • Ebm — b2

  • Fm — b3

  • Gbaug — b4

  • Ab — b5

  • Bb — b6

  • Cdim — b7

This set forms a solid modal framework: combine triads and seventh chords, add 9/11/13 for color, and separate 3rds from 11ths for cleaner harmony.

Alternative Names of the D Altered Scale

This mode may appear under other names:

  • D Super Locrian

  • D Altered Scale

All variations point to the same modal structure.

How to Use the D Altered Scale

Keep colors on top (#9/b9/#5/b5), separate from 3 and b7. Use as a tense V7alt before resolving to I. Tritone substitutions can smooth the motion.

Conclusion

D Altered is a recognizable mode with clear logic of use. Study the formula and intervals, keep color tones in the top voice, build diatonic chords, and try integrating the mode into your own progressions — this way you’ll develop a confident and expressive sound faster.