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C♯ lydian augmented scale on bass guitar
C♯ lydian augmented contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯♯, A♯, and B♯. The double-sharp fourth and fifth make this scale a bright, tense choice for bass.
How it is built
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 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ on the E string at fret 1 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | D♯, E♯ |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3 | G♯♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ lydian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯♯ on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | F♯♯, G♯♯, A♯ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
C♯ lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G♯♯ on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | G♯♯, A♯, B♯ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | F♯♯, G♯♯, A♯ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the E string at fret 9 up to F♯♯ on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the E string at fret 9 and the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, F♯♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the E string at fret 11 up to G♯♯ on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the D string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 13 | G♯♯, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (G) | 12, 14 | F♯♯, G♯♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ lydian augmented is built from C♯ ionian augmented by raising the fourth degree from F♯ to F♯♯. The scale contains a tritone between C♯ and F♯♯ and a leading tone from B♯ to C♯. Compare it with C♯ ionian augmented to hear the raised fourth.
When to use it
C♯ lydian augmented fits C♯ augmented and C♯ augmented major 7th chords. Use it over progressions in E major or A♯ 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 4, keeping the shape compact across frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ lydian augmented?
C♯ lydian augmented contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯♯, A♯, and B♯. The scale has a raised fourth and raised fifth. Its key signature is seven sharps. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does C♯ lydian augmented fit?
C♯ lydian augmented fits C♯ augmented and C♯ augmented major 7th chords. It also works over D♯ major and F major chords. The raised fourth adds tension to dominant sounds.
What is the relative major of C♯ lydian augmented?
The relative major of C♯ lydian augmented is E major. The scale shares the same key signature of seven sharps. Its relative minor is A♯ minor.