C Ionian Augmented Scale on Guitar: Notes

How it is built

C1D2E3F4G♯♯5A6B7

Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7

Chords these notes build

C1C Augmented C Augmented Major 7th
D2D Minor D 5th D Suspended 2nd D Minor 7th D Minor 7th Flat 5th D Minor 6th D Minor 9th D Minor Add 9 D Diminished D Diminished 7th
E3E Major E 5th E Suspended 4th E 7th E 7th Sharp 5 E 7th Suspended 4th E Augmented
F4F 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
A6A Minor A 5th A Suspended 2nd A Suspended 4th A Minor Major 7th A Minor Major 9th A Minor Add 9
B7B Minor 7th Flat 5th B Diminished B Diminished 7th

How do you play the C ionian augmented scale on guitar?

C 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 F on the high e string at fret 1. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 1.

Every note in this box, string by string

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

Box 2 · frets 4–7

C ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

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

Box 3 · frets 8–11

C ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	8, 10	C, D
5 (A)	8, 11	F, G♯
4 (D)	9, 10	B, C
3 (G)	9, 10	E, F
2 (B)	9, 10	G♯, A
1 (e)	8, 10	C, D

Box 4 · frets 10–13

C ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 13.

Every note in this box, string by string

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

Why it sounds like that

Start with C major and sharpen the fifth from G to G♯. That single change produces the ionian augmented scale, with a whole-and-a-half step between F and G♯. Compare it with C major to isolate the altered degree.

When to use it

Use it over C augmented or C augmented major 7th. The scale also works over C 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 5, fret 3 and spans frets 0–3, giving easy access to the augmented fifth on string 4.

Common questions

Which notes are in C ionian augmented?

The notes are C, D, E, F, G♯, A, and B. The raised fifth is G♯. The scale has a major third and major seventh.

What chords fit C ionian augmented?

The tonic chord is C augmented or C augmented major 7th. You can also use it over C major progressions when you want a sharp-five colour. The scale contains the major third and major seventh.

How does C ionian augmented differ from C major?

Only the fifth degree changes: G becomes G♯. The rest of the scale is identical to C major. This one alteration creates the augmented sound.