The Augmented scale is a 7-note scale including the octave at both ends. It’s called an augmented scale because it’s made up of two augmented triads- one starting on the tonic (the note that’s the same as the scale name) and one starting on the second note of the scale, which is a minor third (m3) higher than the tonic. (Watch the The Trombone Place YouTube Channel videos entitled MINOR AND DIMINISHED INTERVALS to see what a minor third is, HALF STEPS AND WHOLE STEPS ON THE KEYBOARD to learn what they are, and TRIADS-A BASIC INTRODUCTION to see how augmented chords are created.)

Here’s an example:

The C Augmented scale-

C-eb-E-g-G#-b-C

(The CAPITAL letters are the augmented chord based on the C. The small letters are the augmented chord based on the Eb, which is a minor third higher than C.)

The intervals between the scale tones are-

• m3 between the first and second note

• half step between the second and third notes

• m3 between the third and fourth notes

• half step between the fourth and fifth notes

• m3 between the fifth and sixth notes

• half step between the sixth and seventh notes

IMPORTANT- THIS SCALE IS CHALLENGING. ENHARMONICS ARE CHOSEN BASED ON WHICH NAME WOULD BE MOST LOGICAL WHEN THINKING OF AND PLAYING THE SCALE. FOR EXAMPLE, SOME SCALES HAVE A B# INSTEAD OF C. Others may use two versions of a note.