C Major Augmented Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagram
C Major Augmented Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Major Augmented scale is an unstable and rich scale used to bridge complex dominant harmonies. On Bass, its notes are C, D, E, F, G#, A, B. It provides a shifting, liquid texture to music and is used in modern classical and jazz to avoid traditional tonal resolutions. Commonly used in Jazz, Modern Classical, Fusion. Notable players include Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock. Use over augmented and Maj7#5 chords. Creates a shimmering, unresolved quality for modern jazz and classical passages.
Notes: C, D, E, F, G#, A, B
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5A, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 #5 6 7
Formula: W-W-H-WH-H-W-H
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: major #5, ionian augmented, ionian #5
How to Play C Major Augmented on Bass
On bass, locate C on the A string at fret 3. Use a one-finger-per-fret approach starting from the root and span two to three strings. Keep your fretting hand relaxed and practice shifting between positions cleanly.
The C Major Augmented scale contains 1 sharp (G#). Its relative minor is A minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the C Major Augmented scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Major Augmented scale come through clearly.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the C Major Augmented scale to build walking bass lines by targeting chord tones on strong beats and using scale tones as approach notes. This is the foundation of functional bass playing.
The C Major Augmented scale contains 7 notes (C, D, E, F, G#, A, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Major Augmented
The C Major Augmented scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.