Colour key
R234p567Each colour is a scale degree, counted from the key. A ♭ or ♯ note keeps its degree's colour: ♭3 is still amber.
E Ionian ♯5
♯5 on a major scale. Bright with an unsettled lift.
Where you hear it: Over maj7♯5 (the III+ of harmonic minor).
Step pattern W – W – H – W+H – H – W – H
- Parent scale: D♭ harmonic minor (starts on its 3rd degree)
- Compared with E major: ♯5 B → B♯
- Compared with E natural minor: ♯3 G → G♯, ♯5 B → B♯, ♯6 C → C♯, ♯7 D → D♯
E Ionian ♯5 on the guitar
Pick a position below to outline it on the neck.
in the pentatonic r 2 3 ♯5 6: playedother notes of Ionian ♯5: not playedPlay runs up the position from its lowest note and back down; Sample melody plays a short tune using only its notes. Tap a position's name to see it on the neck.
Modes with the same notes as E Ionian ♯5
Every chord in E Ionian ♯5
- Emaj7♯51/9easyfret 12· shell
- F♯m71/23easyfret 2· shell
- G♯71/17easyfret 1· shell
- Amaj71/18easyopen
- B♯dim71/4easyfret 10
- C♯m(maj7)1/4mediumfret 4
- D♯m7♭51/14easyfret 1
Each chord stacks every other note of the scale (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th). Tap a row to hear it.
Iconic progressions in E Ionian ♯5
A few well-known chord loops that bring out this scale’s sound. Play one through, or tap a chord to hear it.
I+ – IV
The augmented tonic has a ♯5 that sits a half step below the 6th. When the IV arrives that note resolves up into it.
ii – III – vi
The III is a dominant 7th chord. Its 3rd, the ♯5 of the scale, is also the major 7th of the vi chord, so one note links both chords.
Sus and extension chords from each chord
From Eaug you can go through the 2nd of the scale to sus2 and 9 chords, through the 4th to sus4 and 11, and so on. All seven chords of E Ionian ♯5.
Hover or focus a small bubble for what it is, click to keep the note open.
Closest shape: leaves out a colour note.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.
Hover a bubble to see it here; click to hear it and keep it.