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E♭ ionian augmented scale on guitar
E♭ ionian augmented contains E♭, F, G, A♭, B, C, D. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 for a low-position augmented shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the E♭ ionian augmented scale on guitar?
E♭ ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the D string at fret 1 and the B string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 4 | A♭, B |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 6 and the B string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4, 6 | D, E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
E♭ ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
E♭ ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the low E string at fret 11, the D string at fret 13 and the high e string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 11, 14 | A♭, B |
| 4 (D) | 12, 13 | D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the fifth of E♭ major from B♭ to B and you get E♭ ionian augmented. The scale keeps the major third and major seventh while the sharp five creates a whole-and-a-half step between A♭ and B. Compare it with E♭ major to hear that single altered degree.
When to use it
Use it over E♭ augmented or E♭ augmented major 7th. The sharp five also fits dominant-function passages in E♭ 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 4, fret 1 and covers frets 1–4, making it easy to connect to open-position E♭ major shapes.
Common questions
Which notes are in E♭ ionian augmented?
The notes are E♭, F, G, A♭, B, C, and D. The raised fifth is B. 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 E♭ ionian augmented?
The tonic chord is E♭ augmented or E♭ augmented major 7th. You can also use it over E♭ major progressions when you want a sharp-five colour. The scale contains the major third and major seventh.
How does E♭ ionian augmented differ from E♭ major?
Only the fifth degree changes: B♭ becomes B. The rest of the scale is identical to E♭ major. This one alteration creates the augmented sound.