About the A Ionian Augmented scale
A Ionian Augmented is used for jazz reharmonization and cinematic writing. Think of it as the major scale with a raised fifth, bright but slightly unhinged.
Its notes are A, B, C♯, D, E♯, F♯, and G♯. The formula is W W H 1½ H W H. It is the third mode of F♯ Harmonic Minor.
Also called Ionian ♯5 and Augmented Major.
Three of the notes in A Ionian Augmented are black keys, C♯, F♯, and G♯.
Chords in the key of A Ionian Augmented
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
I+ A augmented
A augmented over C sharp (1st inversion)
ii B minor
B minor over D (1st inversion)
III C sharp
C sharp over E sharp (1st inversion)
IV D
D over F sharp (1st inversion)
v° E sharp diminished
E sharp diminished over G sharp (1st inversion)
vi F sharp minor
F sharp minor over A (1st inversion)
vii° G sharp diminished
G sharp diminished over B (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A Ionian Augmented
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
I+ A major seven sharp five
A major seven sharp five
ii B minor seven
B minor seven
III C sharp seven
C sharp seven
IV D major seven
D major seven
v° E sharp diminished seven
E sharp diminished seven
vi F sharp minor major seven
F sharp minor major seven
vii° G sharp minor seven flat five
G sharp minor seven flat five
Progressions in A Ionian Augmented
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AA | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BB | Major 2nd |
| 3 | C#C♯ | Major 3rd |
| 4 | DD | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | E#E♯ | Augmented 5th |
| 6 | F#F♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | G#G♯ | Major 7th |
| Steps | W W H 1½ H W H |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-2-1-3-1-2-1 |
| Degrees | 1 2 3 4 ♯5 6 7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | A | B | C sharp | D | E sharp | F sharp | G sharp | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Ionian Augmented in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.