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