C Ionian Augmented Scale on Bass Guitar: Notes

How it is built

C1D2E3F4G♯♯5A6B7

Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7

Chords these notes build

How do you play the C ionian augmented scale on bass?

C ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	0, 1	E, F
3 (A)	0, 2, 3	A, B, C
2 (D)	0, 2, 3	D, E, F
1 (G)	1, 2	G♯, A

Box 2 · frets 4–7

C ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	4, 5, 7	G♯, A, B
3 (A)	5, 7	D, E
2 (D)	6, 7	G♯, A
1 (G)	4, 5, 7	B, C, D

Box 3 · frets 8–11

C ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	8, 10	C, D
3 (A)	8, 11	F, G♯
2 (D)	9, 10	B, C
1 (G)	9, 10	E, F

Box 4 · frets 10–13

C ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	10, 12, 13	D, E, F
3 (A)	11, 12	G♯, A
2 (D)	10, 12	C, D
1 (G)	10, 13	F, G♯

Why it sounds like that

C ionian augmented raises the fifth of C major from G to G♯, creating an augmented 5th from the root. The scale keeps the major 3rd, major 6th, and major 7th of C major. The raised fifth also produces a diminished 5th between D and G♯.

When to use it

C ionian augmented fits C augmented and C augmented major 7th chords. Use it over C augmented or C augmented major 7th in jazz or fusion lines. The leading tone B pulls strongly to C.

Which position to practise

Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 3 fret 3, giving easy access to the low C.

Common questions

What notes are in C ionian augmented?

C ionian augmented contains C, D, E, F, G♯, A, and B. The G♯ is the raised fifth. The scale also includes a major 7th.

Which chords does C ionian augmented fit?

C ionian augmented fits C augmented and C augmented major 7th chords. The raised fifth matches the augmented chord's fifth. The major 7th adds colour.

What is the difference between C ionian augmented and C major?

C ionian augmented raises the fifth degree of C major from G to G♯. This creates an augmented 5th interval from the root. The other notes remain the same.