STRINGSCALES

F major augmented Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

B string: C#, D, E, F, G, A, Bb at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

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

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F 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:

F

I+

Faug
G

ii

Gm
A

III

Amaj
B♭

IV

B♭maj
C♯

#v°

C♯dim
D

vi

Dm
E

vii°

Edim

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

Same notes, different mode

F 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.

G dorian #4A phrygian dominantBb lydian #9C# ultralocrianD harmonic minorE locrian 6

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

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

How to play F major augmented on guitar

Five of the six open strings carry scale tones, everything but the B, though none works as a drone. Roots begin at fret 1 on the low E, which means an E-shape barre sits right at the nut and the neck opens upward from there. Capo fret 1 to use E major augmented shapes. Dm and Gm flank the tonic, so a minor chord is one move away at any point.

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