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Augmented Scale
Introduction

Much like the Diminished Scale (http://www.thejazzpianosite.com/jazz-piano-lessons/jazz-

scales/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=CEG
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 (http://www.thejazzpianosite.com/jazz-piano-lessons/jazz-

improvisation/symmetrical-scales/), 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 CEGB 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 C E♭/D# E G G#/A♭ B

notes

C7alt degrees 1 #9 3 5 ♭13 7 (avoid

note)

C half-step minor-third scale C D♭ E F A♭ A

notes

C7alt degrees 1 ♭9 3 11 (avoid ♭13 13

note)

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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

Jazz Scales - Augmented Scale

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