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B♭ ionian augmented scale on bass guitar
B♭ ionian augmented is B♭, C, D, E♭, F♯, G, A. Box 1 places the root at string 3 fret 1 and string 1 fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ ionian augmented scale on bass?
B♭ ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 6–9
B♭ ionian augmented in box 2 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 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 9 | E♭, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
B♭ ionian augmented in box 3 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 11. The root falls on the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 11 | E♭, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
B♭ ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ ionian augmented raises the fifth of B♭ major from F to F♯, creating an augmented 5th from the root. The scale keeps the major 3rd, major 6th, and major 7th of B♭ major. The raised fifth also produces a diminished 5th between C and F♯.
When to use it
B♭ ionian augmented fits B♭ augmented and B♭ augmented major 7th chords. Use it over B♭ augmented or B♭ augmented major 7th in jazz or fusion lines. The leading tone A pulls strongly to B♭.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 2–5 with the root on string 3 fret 1, giving easy access to the low B♭.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ ionian augmented?
B♭ ionian augmented contains B♭, C, D, E♭, F♯, G, and A. The F♯ is the raised fifth. The scale also includes a major 7th. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ ionian augmented fit?
B♭ ionian augmented fits B♭ augmented and B♭ augmented major 7th chords. The raised fifth matches the augmented chord's fifth. The major 7th adds colour.
What is the difference between B♭ ionian augmented and B♭ major?
B♭ ionian augmented raises the fifth degree of B♭ major from F to F♯. This creates an augmented 5th interval from the root. The other notes remain the same.