STRINGSCALES

G major augmented Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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G 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:

G

I+

Gaug
A

ii

Am
B

III

Bmaj
C

IV

Cmaj
D♯

#v°

D♯dim
E

vi

Em
F♯

vii°

F♯dim

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

Same notes, different mode

G 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.

A dorian #4B phrygian dominantC lydian #9D# ultralocrianE harmonic minorF# locrian 6

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

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

How to play G major augmented on guitar

Open G is the root and four more open strings sit in the key, so drones under this one are genuinely usable. Roots repeat at fret 3 on both E strings and fret 5 on the D. Position work runs out at fret 7. Am and Em sit either side of the tonic, which means the common minor shapes stay in play while the augmented chord does the coloring.

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