What does it mean when a note on the C harmonic minor scale is Augmented?

Question

I see. So it usually means you're increasing the 5th note by a half step in the scale. But, not always. I wonder how one represents an Augmented... say 3rd note?

Answer 1

It usually means that it's been raised a half-tone. For example, an augmented triad starting on middle c consists of c-e-g#. So, based on that idea, in the c harmonic minor scale it would be c-d-eb-f-g#, etc. But any note can be augmented. It just means that you have raised that particular note by a half step.

Answer 2

mmalie is right... but to answer your "more details" question...

Augmented means that a pitch was raised a half step- it doesn't matter which scale degree it is.

If you're in C Harmonic minor, the augmented 3rd would be an E natural.  You have to be careful though, about making sure that you are using the correct diatonic spellings... like an augmented 3rd in C Major would be E#- not F.  

Sometimes augmentation results in double sharps... like in B major (5# in the key)... the 5th is F#... raise it a half step and you get F## (there isn't a .x. thingy!)... not G!  Does this make sense?

So yes, you can augment any note by taking it up a half step, however the 5th is probably the most common.