Explore scales · Bass
A♭ lydian augmented scale on bass guitar
A♭ lydian augmented contains A♭, B♭, C, D, E, F, and G. The raised fourth and fifth give this scale a bright, tense sound for bass lines.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the A♭ lydian augmented scale on bass?
A♭ lydian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ lydian 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 D on the G string at fret 7. 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, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A♭ lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 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) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ lydian augmented is built from A♭ ionian augmented by raising the fourth degree from D♭ to D. The scale contains a tritone between A♭ and D and a leading tone from G to A♭. Compare it with A♭ ionian augmented to hear the raised fourth.
When to use it
A♭ lydian augmented fits A♭ augmented and A♭ augmented major 7th chords. Use it over progressions in C♭ major or F minor that highlight the raised fourth. The raised fourth adds tension to dominant sounds.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 4, keeping the shape compact across frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ lydian augmented?
A♭ lydian augmented contains A♭, B♭, C, D, E, F, and G. The scale has a raised fourth and raised fifth. Its key signature is four flats. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ lydian augmented fit?
A♭ lydian augmented fits A♭ augmented and A♭ augmented major 7th chords. It also works over B♭ major and C major chords. The raised fourth adds tension to dominant sounds.
What is the relative major of A♭ lydian augmented?
The relative major of A♭ lydian augmented is C♭ major. The scale shares the same key signature of four flats. Its relative minor is F minor.