C♯ augmented contains C♯, D♯♯, E♯, G♯, G♯♯, and B♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 1 and string 1, fret 4.
C♯ augmented contains C♯, D♯♯, E♯, G♯, G♯♯, and B♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 1 and string 1, fret 4.
C♯ augmented is built from the augmented scale formula: 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7. It shares its major 7th and augmented 5th with C♯ harmonic minor, but the ♯2 replaces the natural 2nd. Compare it with C♯ harmonic minor to hear the difference.
Use C♯ augmented over C♯ major or C♯ minor when you want a raised second and fifth. It fits the key of E major and its relative minor A♯ minor. The scale suits jazz and fusion lines that need a leading tone into C♯.
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3, fret 1 keeps the hand low and the pattern compact.
C♯ augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♯ on the C string at fret 0 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the C string at fret 1 and the A string at fret 4.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, G♯♯ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 4 | B♯, C♯, D♯♯ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 1, 4 | D♯♯, E♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 0, 3, 4 | G♯♯, B♯, C♯ |
C♯ augmented in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♯♯ on the C string at fret 4 up to D♯♯ on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 4.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 4, 5 | D♯♯, E♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 5 | G♯, G♯♯ |
| 1 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, D♯♯ |
C♯ augmented in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 9.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 10 | D♯♯, E♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 9 | G♯, G♯♯ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 11 | E♯, G♯ |
Every chord here uses only notes from the scale. Tap one to open it.
C♯ augmented contains C♯, D♯♯, E♯, G♯, G♯♯, and B♯. The scale has a major 7th and an augmented 5th. It is a six-note scale. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
C♯ augmented fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords. It also works over E augmented and G♯ augmented. Use it when the harmony has a raised second or fifth.
C♯ augmented differs from C♯ harmonic minor by one note: the ♯2 replaces the natural 2nd. Both scales share the major 7th and augmented 5th. The ♯2 gives C♯ augmented its distinctive colour.