STRINGSCALES

C major augmented Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G#, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

A string: A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

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

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

B string: B, C, D, E, F, G#, A, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

High E string: E, F, G#, A, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

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C 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:

C

I+

Caug
D

ii

Dm
E

III

Emaj
F

IV

Fmaj
G♯

#v°

G♯dim
A

vi

Am
B

vii°

Bdim

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

Same notes, different mode

C 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.

D dorian #4E phrygian dominantF lydian #9G# ultralocrianA harmonic minorB locrian 6

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

tip
  • Play C 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 C: the augmented I chord against the minor iii creates the scale's signature lift.

How to play C major augmented on guitar

Open low E, A, D, B and high E all sit in the key, but the drone test fails, so use them as passing tones rather than pedals. Roots land on fret 8 of the low E, fret 1 of the B. Caug heads the chord list, Am the sixth. No dominant seventh appears among the seven chords, which means cadences have to come from voice leading rather than pull.

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