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Posted by: The Professor Jun 21 2013, 11:47 AM

In this lesson, our fifth look at Symmetrical Scales, we will be exploring one of the most commonly used non-modal scales, the Augmented Scale.

This scale is named quite literally, as it is built by pairing together two augmented triads a m3rd apart.

If you were to build an Augmented Scale from the root C, you would get:

C Eb E G G# B (C+ and Eb+ Triads)

or

R b3 3 5 #5 7

I use the note G# here to make it easier to see the 5 and #5 in this key, but you can also think of it as an Ab as technically it is a b6 or b13 and not a #5, as there is already a natural 5, G in this key, in the scale. Small but important point to note.

Here is how the Augmented Scale looks like on paper in both Tab and Notation from the root-note C.








To help you get started in your exploration of this scale, here are two common fingerings for a C Augmented Scale, one with a 6th-string root and one with a 5th-string root note.






After you have learned these two shapes, try expanding them to all 12 keys across the fretboard, and begin to apply them to your soloing ideas either over a maj7th chord, where you want to bring in a #5 and/or #9 sound, or more specifically when you see a maj7#5 chord symbol on any tune you are soloing over.





Write out all 12 keys of the Augmented Scale in the comments section below, using the "spoiler" tab on the left side of this screen, and I will be happy to go over your work to see how you are doing with writing out this fun and important scale.


Do you have any questions about the Augmented Scale? Post any questions or comments below and I will be happy to answer them for you.