Scales › augmented (symmetric)

augmented (symmetric) scale

symmetric augmented

augmented (symmetric) on the guitar: the fretboard diagram

Here is the augmented (symmetric) scale laid out across the whole neck, from fret 0 to fret 15. The guide tones (3rd and 7th) are highlighted — they're what makes the scale's color sing. Use the key selector above to shift the shape along the neck and find the positions in your key.

What color?

A symmetric scale alternating augmented second and half step, built on two augmented triads a major third apart. An abstract, hypnotic color, outside tonal gravity, useful on maj7#5 chords and for motivic lines that transpose by themselves.

Origin & history

A symmetrical hexatonic scale alternating minor third and half step, invariant under transposition by a major third. Liszt explored it in the 19th century; John Coltrane built his famous "Coltrane changes" on this symmetry.

Listen

• "Giant Steps" — John Coltrane

Which chords to play it on?

The jazz consensus (Aebersold) recommends it on:

Try it in a real chart

Paste a chord chart into the tool: Pentania tells you, chord by chord, when this scale fits — and what other colors are open to you. Open the tool →