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