Chord Colors

E Ionian Augmented scale

About the E Ionian Augmented scale

E 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 E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. The formula is W W H 1½ H W H. It is the third mode of C Harmonic Minor.

Also called Ionian 5 and Augmented Major.

E Ionian Augmented uses four black keys on the piano, F, G, C, and D.

Chords in the key of E Ionian Augmented

Expand a chord to see how to play it.

I+ E augmented
Position 2 of 3

E augmented over G sharp (1st inversion)

ii F sharp minor
Position 2 of 3

F sharp minor over A (1st inversion)

III G sharp
Position 2 of 3

G sharp over B sharp (1st inversion)

IV A
Position 2 of 3

A over C sharp (1st inversion)

B sharp diminished
Position 2 of 3

B sharp diminished over D sharp (1st inversion)

vi C sharp minor
Position 2 of 3

C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)

vii° D sharp diminished
Position 2 of 3

D sharp diminished over F sharp (1st inversion)

Seventh chords in E Ionian Augmented

The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.

I+ E major seven sharp five

E major seven sharp five

ii F sharp minor seven

F sharp minor seven

III G sharp seven

G sharp seven

IV A major seven

A major seven

B sharp diminished seven

B sharp diminished seven

vi C sharp minor major seven

C sharp minor major seven

vii° D sharp minor seven flat five

D sharp minor seven flat five

Progressions in E Ionian Augmented

Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.

Notes and intervals

1EERoot
2F#F♯Major 2nd
3G#G♯Major 3rd
4AAPerfect 4th
5B#B♯Augmented 5th
6C#C♯Major 6th
7D#D♯Major 7th
StepsW W H 1½ H W H
Semitones2-2-1-3-1-2-1
Degrees1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Fingering

Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules

Hand EF sharpG sharpAB sharpC sharpD sharpE
Right hand12312345
Left hand54321321

Shapes

Chromatic

CC♯D♭DD♯E♭EFF♯G♭GG♯A♭AA♯B♭B

Circle of Fifths

CGDAEBF♯G♭C♯D♭G♯A♭D♯E♭A♯B♭F

Related scales

Ionian Augmented in other keys

Modes

The same notes, starting on a different note.

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E Ionian Augmented scale on piano shown as colored note dots
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