Augmented Hexatonic Piano Scales

The augmented hexatonic scale represents one of the most symmetrical and colorful scales available to pianists. With its distinctive pattern of alternating minor thirds and half steps, this six-note scale creates a unique sound that simultaneously suggests multiple tonal centers, making it a powerful tool for creating ambiguity, exotic colors, and tonal transitions.

What is an Augmented Hexatonic Scale?

The augmented hexatonic scale (also called the "augmented scale" or "minor third/half-step scale") consists of six notes per octave constructed by alternating minor thirds and half steps. It follows the interval pattern: m3-H-m3-H-m3-H (minor third, half step, minor third, half step, minor third, half step).

For example, starting from C: C, Eb, E, G, G#, B, (and back to C).

What makes the augmented hexatonic scale distinctive is its perfect symmetry around an augmented triad. The scale can be viewed as combining two augmented triads a half step apart (C-E-G# and Eb-G-B in our example). Due to this symmetrical structure, there are only four possible augmented hexatonic scales in all of Western music.

Why Practice Augmented Hexatonic Scales?

Practicing augmented hexatonic scales offers several unique benefits:

1. Modulatory facility - Enables smooth transitions between distantly related keys
2. Impressionistic coloration - Offers unique sonorities for creating dreamlike atmospheres
3. Technical development - Cultivates awareness of unusual yet systematic patterns

Famous Compositions Using Augmented Hexatonic Scales

Though less common than some other scales, the augmented hexatonic appears in various significant works:

• "Feux d'artifice" by Claude Debussy (augmented scale passages)
• Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) by Igor Stravinsky (sections)
• Metamorphosis by Philip Glass (augmented elements)
• Compositions by Béla Bartók , including Mikrokosmos pieces
• Charles Mingus's jazz compositions
• Oliver Nelson's Stolen Moments (improvisation sections)
• Film scores by Bernard Herrmann, particularly for Hitchcock films
• Contemporary jazz works by Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock

The augmented hexatonic scale gained prominence in the early 20th century with impressionist and expressionist composers seeking alternatives to traditional diatonic harmony. Jazz musicians later adopted it for its distinctive color, especially when improvising over augmented chords or to create tonal ambiguity.

For piano students, the augmented hexatonic scale offers a fascinating study in symmetry. Its regular pattern of alternating intervals creates logical fingering groupings, though these differ significantly from conventional scales. The scale's structure makes it particularly valuable for connecting distant key areas, as it contains notes from multiple keys simultaneously.

Mastering the augmented hexatonic scale will significantly expand your coloristic palette, enabling you to create moments of tonal suspension, dreamy atmospheres, and exotic sonorities. Its perfectly balanced structure also makes it an excellent tool for exploring polytonality and creating smooth modulations between seemingly unrelated keys.

Don’t forget that you can make scale practice more fun with TomScales ! Play alongside an orchestra or a band with TomScales. You can choose from several high-quality audio covers: Classical, Pop, Epic, Jazz and more! TomScales is designed with a progressive approach, starting at a beginner level and gradually increasing in difficulty. As you advance through the very easy, easy and intermediate levels, new scales are introduced, the tempo quickens, and scale variations become more complex.