D Ionian Augmented Scale on Bass Guitar: Notes

How it is built

D1E2F♯3G4A♯♯5B6C♯7

Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7

Chords these notes build

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

D ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the D string at fret 0.

Every note in this box, string by string

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

Box 2 · frets 2–5

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

Every note in this box, string by string

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

Box 3 · frets 6–9

D ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 7.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	6, 7, 9	A♯, B, C♯
3 (A)	7, 9	E, F♯
2 (D)	8, 9	A♯, B
1 (G)	6, 7, 9	C♯, D, E

Box 4 · frets 10–13

D ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 10 and the D string at fret 12.

Every note in this box, string by string

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

Why it sounds like that

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

When to use it

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

Which position to practise

Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 with the root on string 3 fret 5, giving easy access to the low D.

Common questions

What notes are in D ionian augmented?

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

Which chords does D ionian augmented fit?

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

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

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