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A♭ ionian augmented scale on guitar
A♭ ionian augmented contains A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E, F, G. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 4 for an open-position augmented shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the A♭ ionian augmented scale on guitar?
A♭ ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3 | E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | C, D♭ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A♭ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the D string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 7 | D♭, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | E, F |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 6 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 9 | D♭, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D♭ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 11 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9 | C, D♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Start with A♭ major and sharpen the fifth from E♭ to E. That single change produces the ionian augmented scale, with a whole-and-a-half step between D♭ and E. Compare it with A♭ major to isolate the altered degree.
When to use it
Use it over A♭ augmented or A♭ augmented major 7th. The scale also works over A♭ major progressions when you want a sharp-five colour. It suits jazz and fusion contexts.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 6, fret 4 and spans frets 0–3, giving easy access to the augmented fifth on string 5.
Common questions
Which notes are in A♭ ionian augmented?
The notes are A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E, F, and G. The raised fifth is E. The scale has a major third and major seventh. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit A♭ ionian augmented?
The tonic chord is A♭ augmented or A♭ augmented major 7th. You can also use it over A♭ major progressions when you want a sharp-five colour. The scale contains the major third and major seventh.
How does A♭ ionian augmented differ from A♭ major?
Only the fifth degree changes: E♭ becomes E. The rest of the scale is identical to A♭ major. This one alteration creates the augmented sound.