Explore scales · Guitar
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 2 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 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 3 | A, B♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the D string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 5 | A, B♯ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
E ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5 | G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5 | G♯, A |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B♯ on the low E string at fret 8 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10 | G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
E ionian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 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 low E string at fret 12, the D string at fret 14 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 13, 14 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Start with E major and sharpen the fifth from B to B♯. That single change produces the ionian augmented scale, with a whole-and-a-half step between A and B♯. Compare it with E major to isolate the altered degree.
When to use it
Use it over E augmented or E augmented major 7th. The scale also works over E 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 4, fret 2 and spans frets 0–3, giving easy access to the augmented fifth on string 3.
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.
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.