B Major Augmented Guitar Scale

B Major Augmented Scale — Notes and Intervals

The B Major Augmented scale is an unstable and rich scale used to bridge complex dominant harmonies. On Guitar, its notes are B, C#, D#, E, G, G#, A#. 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: B, C#, D#, E, G, G#, A#

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

Musical Character

An unstable scale that creates a liquid, shifting texture — perfect for avoiding traditional resolutions and keeping harmony in constant motion.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Jazz, Modern Classical, Fusion

Notable players: Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock

How to Use the B Major Augmented Scale

Use over augmented and Maj7#5 chords. Creates a shimmering, unresolved quality for modern jazz and classical passages.

Origin & Background

A modern scale for bridging complex dominant harmonies in jazz and contemporary classical composition.

How to Play B Major Augmented on Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 7 on the 6th (low E) to find your B root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is 2nd fret on the A string.

The B Major Augmented scale contains 4 sharps (C#, D#, G#, A#). Its relative minor is G# minor, which shares the same notes.

Practice Routine

Practice the B Major Augmented scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.

Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on B to let the characteristic intervals of the Major Augmented scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in fusion contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, try playing the B Major Augmented scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for longer scale runs. Aim for a liquid quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• B Augmented
• B Lydian augmented
• B Whole tone

The B Major Augmented scale contains 7 notes (B, C#, D#, E, G, G#, A#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Major Augmented

The B 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.

Explore B Major Augmented Further

• Harmonize the B Major Augmented scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• B Major Augmented on Ukulele
• B Major Augmented on Bass
• B Major Augmented on Piano

Explore B Major Augmented in Other Tunings

• B Major Augmented in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• B Major Augmented in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• B Major Augmented in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• B Major Augmented in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• B Major Augmented in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• B Major Augmented in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• B Major Augmented in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• B Major Augmented in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• B Major Augmented in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• B Major Augmented in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• B Major Augmented in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• B Major Augmented in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• B Major Augmented in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• B Major Augmented in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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