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