The augmented scale on bass:
notes, formula and position

The augmented scale has 6 notes: 1 ♭3 3 5 ♯5 7. In A, that gives A, C, C♯, E, E♯ and G♯. Six notes alternating a step and a half and a half step: two augmented triads interlocked. A modern jazz color.

Also called: hexatonic augmented scale.

Formula and notes

1 ♭3 3 5 ♯5 7

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: step and a half – half step – step and a half – half step – step and a half – half step. In A:

One position on the neck

The augmented scale in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-5--6-|
D|-6--7-|
A|-4--7--8-|
E|-4--5--8-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the augmented scale

One-and-a-half-step/half-step alternation. 6 notes. 4 transpositions possible. Very unstable.

You mostly hear it in jazz and impressionism.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the augmented scale fits Aaug and Amaj7♯5. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions