C# Ionian Augmented Scale on Bass Guitar: Notes

How it is built

C♯1D♯2E♯3F♯4G♯♯♯5A♯6B♯7

Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7

Chords these notes build

C♯1C♯ Augmented C♯ Augmented Major 7th
D♯2E♭ Minor E♭ 5th E♭ Suspended 2nd E♭ Minor 7th E♭ Minor 7th Flat 5th E♭ Minor 6th E♭ Minor Add 9 E♭ Diminished E♭ Diminished 7th
E♯3F Major F 5th F Suspended 4th F 7th F 7th Sharp 5 F 7th Suspended 4th F Augmented
F♯4F♯ Major F♯ Minor F♯ 5th F♯ Major 7th F♯ Minor Major 7th F♯ 6th F♯ Minor 6th F♯ Diminished F♯ Diminished 7th F♯ Diminished Major 7th
G♯♯♯5A Diminished A Diminished 7th A Augmented
A♯6B♭ Minor B♭ 5th B♭ Suspended 2nd B♭ Suspended 4th B♭ Minor Major 7th B♭ Minor Add 9
B♯7C Minor 7th Flat 5th C Diminished C Diminished 7th

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

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

Every note in this box, string by string

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

Box 2 · frets 5–8

C♯ ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G♯♯ on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	5, 6, 8	G♯♯, A♯, B♯
3 (A)	6, 8	D♯, E♯
2 (D)	7, 8	G♯♯, A♯
1 (G)	5, 6, 8	B♯, C♯, D♯

Box 3 · frets 9–12

C♯ ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	9, 11	C♯, D♯
3 (A)	9, 12	F♯, G♯♯
2 (D)	10, 11	B♯, C♯
1 (G)	10, 11	E♯, F♯

Box 4 · frets 11–14

C♯ ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯♯ on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the D string at fret 11.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	11, 13, 14	D♯, E♯, F♯
3 (A)	12, 13	G♯♯, A♯
2 (D)	11, 13	C♯, D♯
1 (G)	11, 14	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 1–4 with the root on string 3 fret 4, 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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.

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.