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C♯ ionian augmented scale on guitar
C♯ ionian augmented contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯♯, A♯, B♯. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 4 for a compact augmented shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the C♯ ionian augmented scale on guitar?
C♯ ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2 | E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | G♯♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 4 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2 | E♯, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
C♯ ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G♯♯ on the low E string at fret 5 up to B♯ on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | G♯♯, A♯, B♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8 | G♯♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7 | E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | G♯♯, A♯, B♯ |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
C♯ ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, G♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11 | G♯♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
C♯ ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the D string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12, 13 | G♯♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 14 | F♯, G♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the fifth of C♯ major from G♯ to G♯♯ and you get C♯ ionian augmented. The scale keeps the major third and major seventh while the sharp five creates a whole-and-a-half step between F♯ and G♯♯. Compare it with C♯ major to hear that single altered degree.
When to use it
Use it over C♯ augmented or C♯ augmented major 7th. The sharp five also fits dominant-function passages in C♯ major. Try it in jazz or fusion lines where the augmented colour is explicit.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 5, fret 4 and covers frets 1–4, making it easy to connect to open-position C♯ major shapes.
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. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.