Explore scales · Bass
E♭ ionian augmented scale on bass guitar
E♭ ionian augmented is E♭, F, G, A♭, B, C, D. Box 1 places the root at string 2 fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the E♭ ionian augmented scale on bass?
E♭ ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the D string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 4 | A♭, B |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
E♭ ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
E♭ ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the E string at fret 11 and the D string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 14 | A♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 12, 13 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ ionian augmented raises the fifth of E♭ major from B♭ to B, creating an augmented 5th from the root. The scale keeps the major 3rd, major 6th, and major 7th of E♭ major. The raised fifth also produces a diminished 5th between F and B.
When to use it
E♭ ionian augmented fits E♭ augmented and E♭ augmented major 7th chords. Use it over E♭ augmented or E♭ augmented major 7th in jazz or fusion lines. The leading tone D pulls strongly to E♭.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 1–4 with the root on string 2 fret 1, giving easy access to the low E♭.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ ionian augmented?
E♭ ionian augmented contains E♭, F, G, A♭, B, C, and D. The B 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 E♭ ionian augmented fit?
E♭ ionian augmented fits E♭ augmented and E♭ augmented major 7th chords. The raised fifth matches the augmented chord's fifth. The major 7th adds colour.
What is the difference between E♭ ionian augmented and E♭ major?
E♭ ionian augmented raises the fifth degree of E♭ major from B♭ to B. This creates an augmented 5th interval from the root. The other notes remain the same.