The Ionian Augmented mode, aka the Ionian ♯5 mode (Ionian sharp 5), is the 3rd mode of the harmonic minor scale, and is like the major scale (or Ionian mode) but with a sharpened/raised 5th degree. This creates an interval of an augmented 5th from the tonic. (In standard major and minor scales, the 5th degree forms a perfect 5th.)
This results in an augmented tonic triad — an augmented triad is where all three notes are 4 semitones (half-steps) apart. In a major triad the root and 3rd are 4 semitones apart, and the 3rd and 5th are 3 semitones apart. Read more about chords.
So the augmented tonic triad is an expansion of the standard major triad, hence the name “augmented”. This destabilises the sound of the mode, because functional harmony relies on the perfect 5th for resolution.
This expansive and unstable sound can create a dreaminess and floatiness, a magical quality, or an ominously unsettled sense of disquiet, depending on how it is used. It can also have a paradoxically simultaneous brightness and darkness. I personally find its strangeness beautiful and mysterious.
A lot of improvisers like to use the Ionian Augmented mode in static vamps (i.e. using the same chord/harmony for extended periods), and this can be an effective way of making full use of the dreamy or enigmatic and disquieting atmosphere.
Conversely, my own personal style of improvisation involves the use of chord progressions within modes, and combinations of different modes. You can read more about this style of improvisation here: What I Mean by “Modal Improvisation” – Harmonic Movement Within the Modes
And you can hear some examples of my improvisations where I use the Ionian Augmented mode here: Ionian Augmented mode improvisations.
Interval Formula for the Ionian Augmented Mode
1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
Root, major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, augmented 5th, major 6th, major 7th.
Ionian Augmented Modes (3rd Mode of Harmonic Minor) — Table of Note Names and Parent Scales
| Mode | Notes of the Mode | Parent Harmonic Minor Scale |
|---|---|---|
| C Ionian Augmented | C — D — E — F — G♯ — A — B | A harmonic minor |
| C♯ Ionian Augmented | C♯ — D♯ — E♯ — F♯ — G𝄪 — A♯ — B♯ | A♯ harmonic minor |
| D♭ Ionian Augmented | D♭ — E♭ — F — G♭ — A♮ — B♭ — C | B♭ harmonic minor |
| D Ionian Augmented | D — E — F♯ — G — A♯ — B — C♯ | B harmonic minor |
| E♭ Ionian Augmented | E♭ — F — G — A♭ — B♮ — C — D | C harmonic minor |
| E Ionian Augmented | E — F♯ — G♯ — A — B♯ — C♯ — D♯ | C♯ harmonic minor |
| F Ionian Augmented | F — G — A — B♭ — C♯ — D — E | D harmonic minor |
| F♯ Ionian Augmented | F♯ — G♯ — A♯ — B — C𝄪 — D♯ — E♯ | D♯ harmonic minor |
| G♭ Ionian Augmented | G♭ — A♭ — B♭ — C♭ — D♮ — E♭ — F | E♭ harmonic minor |
| G Ionian Augmented | G — A — B — C — D♯ — E — F♯ | E harmonic minor |
| A♭ Ionian Augmented | A♭ — B♭ — C — D♭ — E♮ — F — G | F harmonic minor |
| A Ionian Augmented | A — B — C♯ — D — E♯ — F♯ — G♯ | F♯ harmonic minor |
| B♭ Ionian Augmented | B♭ — C — D — E♭ — F♯ — G — A | G harmonic minor |
| B Ionian Augmented | B — C♯ — D♯ — E — F𝄪 — G♯ — A♯ | G♯ harmonic minor |
Learn more about modes in general here: Complete Guide to Modes of the Major, Melodic Minor, and Harmonic Minor Scales
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