Explore scales · Bass
A♭ augmented scale on bass guitar
A♭ augmented contains A♭, B, C, E♭, E, and G. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 4 and string 1, fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7
How do you play the A♭ augmented scale on bass?
A♭ augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 1. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1 | G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ augmented in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 7 | A♭, B |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | E♭, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
A♭ augmented in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to E on the G string at fret 9. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8 | B, C |
| 3 (A) | 7, 10 | E, G |
| 2 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9 | E♭, E |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
A♭ augmented in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12 | E♭, E |
| 3 (A) | 11, 14 | A♭, B |
| 2 (D) | 13, 14 | E♭, E |
| 1 (G) | 12, 13 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ augmented derives from A♭ harmonic minor by raising the fourth degree to E. The scale steps 1½, H, 1½, H, 1½, H produce a symmetrical pattern with no tritone. The major seventh G acts as a leading tone to A♭.
When to use it
A♭ augmented fits A♭ major and A♭ minor chords. Use it over B augmented and E♭ augmented for altered sounds. It suits jazz and fusion in C♭ major or F minor contexts.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 4, fret 4, and the shape covers frets 0–3. It sets up Box 2 by shifting the pattern up the neck.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ augmented?
A♭ augmented contains A♭, B, C, E♭, E, and G. The scale has no tritone and includes a leading tone. Practise it in Box 1 starting on string 4, fret 4. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords work with A♭ augmented?
A♭ augmented fits A♭ major and A♭ minor chords. It also works over B augmented and E♭ augmented. Use it for jazz or fusion lines.
How is A♭ augmented different from A♭ harmonic minor?
A♭ augmented raises the fourth degree of A♭ harmonic minor to E. This creates the augmented fifth interval. The scale keeps the leading tone G.