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G ionian augmented scale on guitar
G ionian augmented contains G, A, B, C, D♯, E, F♯. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 3 for an open-position augmented shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the G ionian augmented scale on guitar?
G 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 G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 6 | C, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5 | D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G 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 C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 8 | C, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
G ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9 | D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8 | B, C |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
G ionian augmented in box 5 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 G 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) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 13, 14 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 13 | B, C |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Raise the fifth of G major from D to D♯ and you get G ionian augmented. The scale keeps the major third and major seventh while the sharp five creates a whole-and-a-half step between C and D♯. Compare it with G major to hear that single altered degree.
When to use it
Use it over G augmented or G augmented major 7th. The sharp five also fits dominant-function passages in G 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 3 and covers frets 0–3, making it easy to connect to open-position G major shapes.
Common questions
Which notes are in G ionian augmented?
The notes are G, A, B, C, D♯, E, and F♯. The raised fifth is D♯. The scale has a major third and major seventh.
What chords fit G ionian augmented?
The tonic chord is G augmented or G augmented major 7th. You can also use it over G major progressions when you want a sharp-five colour. The scale contains the major third and major seventh.
How does G ionian augmented differ from G major?
Only the fifth degree changes: D becomes D♯. The rest of the scale is identical to G major. This one alteration creates the augmented sound.