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Standard
Scales
Chords
A♭
Ionian with Augmented Second
Frets: 0 - 24

Formula
Notes

m3-m2-m2-m3-m2-M2
A♭
B
C
D♭
E
F
G
E
B
G
E
F
C
A♭
F
1
D♭
E
B
2
G
F
C
G
3
A♭
B
D♭
A♭
4
E
C
G
5
F
D♭
A♭
6
B
E
B
7
C
G
F
C
8
D♭
A♭
E
B
D♭
9
F
C
G
10
D♭
A♭
11
E
B
G
E
12
F
C
A♭
F
13
D♭
E
B
14
G
F
C
G
15
A♭
B
D♭
A♭
16
E
C
G
17
F
D♭
A♭
18
B
E
B
19
C
G
F
C
20
D♭
A♭
E
B
D♭
21
F
C
G
22
D♭
A♭
23
E
B
G
E
24

Basic Scale Information

  • Name: Ionian with Augmented Second
  • Type: Altered major scale
  • Formula: 1 – ♯2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7
  • Relation with Major Scale: It is a variation of the Ionian (major) scale, where the second degree is augmented by a semitone.

Theoretical Aspects

  • Sound Character: Maintains the bright character of the major scale, but the augmented second adds an exotic and unpredictable color that makes it more expressive and less predictable.
  • Typical Chord: Maj7♯9
  • Modal Context: Used in contexts where one wishes to enrich a major chord with melodic tension, especially in fusion music or modal jazz.
  • Harmonic Use: Applies to melodic passages on major-type chords with tensions, especially in static modal progressions.

Musical Context

  1. Musical Styles: Fusion, Modal jazz, Contemporary music, Progressive
  2. Songs using the scale:
    • Butterfly - Herbie Hancock
    • Bright Size Life - Pat Metheny
    • Actual Proof - Herbie Hancock
    • Chameleon (some solo phrases) - Herbie Hancock
  3. Evoked Atmosphere: Bright but oblique, brilliant with an exotic and unconventional accent.

Chords in Scale