STRINGSCALES

B major augmented Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

D string: D#, E, F##, G#, A#, B, C# at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11

G string: F##, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F## at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

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

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

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B 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:

B

I+

Baug
C♯

ii

C♯m
D♯

III

D♯maj
E

IV

Emaj
F𝄪

#v°

F𝄪dim
G♯

vi

G♯m
A♯

vii°

A♯dim

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

Same notes, different mode

B 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.

C# dorian #4D# phrygian dominantE lydian #9G ultralocrianG# harmonic minorA# locrian 6

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

tip
  • Play B major and raise only the 5th (G): 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 (G) 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 B: the augmented I chord against the minor iii creates the scale's signature lift.

How to play B major augmented on guitar

Open B doubles the root and both E strings give a perfect fourth, so tonic and fourth are on tap without fretting. Open G spells F## here. Roots run from fret 7 on the low E to fret 2 on the A, which means one barre position covers both. Capo fret 2 and A major augmented fingering takes over, so a key signature of five sharps stops mattering.

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