STRINGSCALES

E major augmented Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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E 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:

E

I+

Eaug
F♯

ii

F♯m
G♯

III

G♯maj
A

IV

Amaj
B♯

#v°

B♯dim
C♯

vi

C♯m
D♯

vii°

D♯dim

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

Same notes, different mode

E 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.

F# dorian #4G# phrygian dominantA lydian #9B# ultralocrianC# harmonic minorD# locrian 6

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

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

How to play E major augmented on guitar

Both E strings ring the root open and the open A gives a perfect fourth, so the tonic is available before you fret a note. Lowest root is the open low E, with the next at fret 7 on the A string. First position runs out at fret 4, which means the box above the nut is short and the shift comes early. Eaug, AM and C#m carry the set.

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