A Super-Locrian

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A Super-Locrian Scale

– – – – – – –

Step pattern H – W – H – W – W – W – W

A Super-Locrian contains 7 notes: A, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G. It has 3 flats: B♭, D♭, E♭. The step pattern is H–W–H–W–W–W–W. It is derived from A Melodic Minor.

The altered scale (Super-Locrian) is the ultimate tension scale for dominant chords. It contains every possible altered extension at once, creating a dissonant, modern jazz sound that demands resolution.

Theory

Built as 1 - b2 - b3 - b4 - b5 - b6 - b7, this is the 7th mode of melodic minor and the most important scale for advanced jazz harmony. Over a dominant 7th chord, the degrees reinterpret as: b9, #9, major 3rd (enharmonic b4), #11 (b5), b13 (#5), and b7. It provides every altered tension simultaneously. Also called "diminished whole tone" because its lower half is diminished and upper half is whole tone.

On the guitar

The quickest shortcut: play the melodic minor scale one half step above the root of your dominant chord (e.g., C melodic minor over B7). This is the absolute go-to for V7 chords resolving to minor i. Practice by playing melodic minor shapes and thinking of the note a half step below as your dominant root.

Piano