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