C# Augmented on the Fretboard
The spelling looks heavy, but the C# augmented scale is only C#, E, E#, G#, G## and B# on paper. On the neck you fret C#, E, F, G#, A and C.
The root is on the 9th fret of the low E string and the 4th fret of the A string. These pitches match A and F augmented, whose names are easier to read, so use C# when a chart asks for it and A when you can choose.
Play the C# augmented scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the C# augmented scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| C# | 1 | Root | 0 |
| E | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| E# | 3 | Major 3rd | 4 |
| G# | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| G## | #5 | Minor 6th | 8 |
| B# | 7 | Major 7th | 11 |
Structure
C# augmented scale notes:
How the augmented scale is built:
The augmented scale is built from the degrees 1 b3 3 5 #5 7, which gives the step pattern W+H-H-W+H-H-W+H-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11. That makes it a 6-note scale.
C# Augmented Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (B)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
The augmented scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
