Introduction
Much like the Diminished Scale is actually just two diminished chords superimposed over each other. The Augmented Scale is just two augmented chords superimposed over each other. But it can also be thought of as three major triads superimposed over each other:
| Scale | Notes | Chords |
|---|---|---|
| C Augmented Scale | C E♭ E G G# B | C+ = C E G# E♭+ = E♭ G B |
| C = C E G E = E G# B A♭ = A♭ C E♭ |
The Augmented Scale
The Augmented Scale is:
- a Hexatonic Scale (6 notes)
- a Symmetrical Scale (repeating intervals)
- Also knows as the minor-third half-step scale (because that is the intervals that make up the scale)
Because the scale is symmetrical, there are only 4 unique Augmented Scales (i.e. the C Augmented contains all the same notes as the E and A♭ Augmented)
- C = E = Ab Augmented
- Db = F = A Augmented
- D = F# = Bb Augmented
- Eb = G = B Augmented
And also, much like the Diminished Scale, you can create modes of the Augmented Scale by just starting on a different note. So for example, C minor-third half-step scale contains all the same notes as E♭ half-step minor-third scale.
| Scale | Notes |
|---|---|
| C minor-third half-step scale | C E♭ E G G# B |
| Eb half-step minor-third scale | E♭ E G G# B C |
You can use the C Augmented Scale over any chord that:
- Contains only notes from the C Augmented Scale;
- Contains the C Augmented Triad within it.
| Chord | Notes | Equivalent Chord |
|---|---|---|
| CMaj7#5 | C E G# B | NA |
| CmMaj7 | C E♭ G B | NA |
| CMaj7 | C E G B | NA |
| C+ | C E G# | NA |
| D7#11 | D F# A C E G# | G♭7#11 B♭7#11 |
| D♭mMaj7 | D♭ E A♭ C | FmMaj7 AmMaj7 |
| Dm9♭5 | D F A♭ C E | G♭m9♭5 B♭m9♭5 |
Note: The Augmented Scale contains ‘avoid notes’ so be careful when using it. For example:
- E♭ over CMaj7#5
- B over C7#5
You can use both the C minor-third half-step scale and the C half-step minor-third scale over a C7alt chord:
| C minor-third half-step scale notes | C | E♭/D# | E | G | G#/A♭ | B |
| C7alt degrees | 1 | #9 | 3 | 5 | ♭13 | 7 (avoid note) |
| C half-step minor-third scale notes | C | D♭ | E | F | A♭ | A |
| C7alt degrees | 1 | ♭9 | 3 | 11 (avoid note) | ♭13 | 13 |
Augmented Lick
Below is a classic augmented lick in C Augmented. Try it out and listen to how it sounds.
Have a Listen to
This scale was popularised by John Coltrane, Oliver Nelson and Michael Brecker. Sections of the following songs use the Augmented Scale:
- Freight Time ~ Michael Brecker
- Straphangin’ ~ Michael Brecker
- One Down, One Up ~ John Coltrane
- Stolen Moments ~ Oliver Nelson
- Hoe-Down ~ Oliver Nelson
- Survival of the Fittest ~ Freddie Hubbard
- Pendulum ~ Dave Liebman
