STRINGSCALES

A major augmented Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E#, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10

A string: A, B, C#, D, E#, F#, G#, A at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

D string: D, E#, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

G string: G#, A, B, C#, D, E#, F# at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

B string: B, C#, D, E#, F#, G#, A, B at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12

High E string: E#, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10

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A major augmented

The major augmented scale, also called ionian #5, is a major scale with a raised 5th: the third mode of the harmonic minor scale. One alteration turns the tonic triad augmented while every other degree stays diatonic, so familiar melodies acquire a lifted, unresolved center. It is the cleanest scale choice over maj7#5 chords.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I+

Aaug
B

ii

Bm
C♯

III

C♯maj
D

IV

Dmaj
E♯

#v°

E♯dim
F♯

vi

F♯m
G♯

vii°

G♯dim

Characteristic note: F (#5), the raised fifth that gives everything an augmented shimmer.

Same notes, different mode

A major augmented uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B dorian #4C# phrygian dominantD lydian #9E# ultralocrianF# harmonic minorG# locrian 6

major augmented in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Play A major and raise only the 5th (F): the tonic triad turns augmented while every melody note stays familiar.
  • Use it over maj7#5 chords; as harmonic minor's third mode it shares fingerings with the harmonic minor a major 3rd above... borrow them.
  • Resolve #V (F) upward to VI or down to V mid-phrase; parking on it keeps the suspense, moving it tells a story.
  • Try a I to iii change in A: the augmented I chord against the minor iii creates the scale's signature lift.

How to play A major augmented on guitar

Open A is the root, open D a perfect fourth above it and open B a major second, so all three can sustain under fretted lines. Fret 5 gives roots on both E strings, fret 7 on the D. Everything from fret 9 belongs to the next position. Bm, DM and F#m all come out of this set, which means three ordinary shapes handle rhythm while the augmented tonic stays for accents.

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