C lydian augmented scale on bass guitar

C lydian augmented uses C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B. Box 3 places the root on string 4, fret 8 for an easy stretch.

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it is built

C1D2E3F♯♯4G♯♯5A6B7

Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7

How do you play the C lydian augmented scale on bass?

C lydian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A on the G string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	0, 2	E, F♯
3 (A)	0, 2, 3	A, B, C
2 (D)	0, 2	D, E
1 (G)	1, 2	G♯, A

Box 2 · frets 2–5

C 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 A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	2, 4, 5	F♯, G♯, A
3 (A)	2, 3, 5	B, C, D
2 (D)	2, 4	E, F♯
1 (G)	2, 4, 5	A, B, C

Box 3 · frets 4–7

C lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	4, 5, 7	G♯, A, B
3 (A)	5, 7	D, E
2 (D)	4, 6, 7	F♯, G♯, A
1 (G)	4, 5, 7	B, C, D

Box 4 · frets 8–11

C 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 E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	8, 10	C, D
3 (A)	9, 11	F♯, G♯
2 (D)	9, 10	B, C
1 (G)	9, 11	E, F♯

Box 5 · frets 10–13

C lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
4 (E)	10, 12	D, E
3 (A)	11, 12	G♯, A
2 (D)	10, 12	C, D
1 (G)	11, 13	F♯, G♯

Why it sounds like that

Raise the fourth of C major to F♯ and the fifth to G♯. The scale has the same notes as C ionian augmented except the fourth degree. The major seventh is B.

When to use it

Use over C augmented or C augmented major 7th in jazz ballads. The raised fourth adds a dreamy quality to slow harmonic rhythms.

Which position to practise

Practise Box 3 first. The root on string 4, fret 8 keeps the hand centred and the range 5–9 avoids open-string position shifts.

Common questions

Which note is the augmented fifth?

The augmented fifth is G♯. It is one semitone higher than the perfect fifth G in C major.

Can I play this over a C major chord?

No. The G♯ clashes with the natural fifth G in C major. Use only augmented or augmented major seventh chords.

Is the open A string usable?

Yes. The open A is the major sixth and a chord tone. It works as a passing note or pedal.