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A♭ lydian augmented scale on guitar
A♭ lydian augmented is A♭, B♭, C, D, E, F, G. Box 1 sits at frets 0–3 with roots on strings 6, 3, and 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the A♭ lydian augmented scale on guitar?
A♭ lydian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ lydian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A♭ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the D string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | E, F |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 13 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 6 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 11 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A♭ lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13 | B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ lydian augmented raises the fourth and fifth of A♭ major, creating a tritone against the root and a leading tone to the tonic. Compare it with A♭ ionian augmented, which keeps the natural fourth but shares the raised fifth.
When to use it
Use A♭ lydian augmented over A♭ augmented or A♭ augmented major 7th. It fits jazz and fusion lines in keys with four flats.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. Its roots on strings 6, 3, and 1 keep the hand centred from frets 1 to 5.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ lydian augmented?
A♭ lydian augmented contains A♭, B♭, C, D, E, F, and G. The scale has a major 3rd, raised 4th, and raised 5th. It is a seven-note scale. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ lydian augmented?
A♭ lydian augmented fits A♭ augmented and A♭ augmented major 7th chords. The raised fifth matches the augmented triad. The major seventh adds tension.
What is the difference between A♭ lydian augmented and A♭ ionian augmented?
A♭ lydian augmented has a raised fourth, while A♭ ionian augmented has a natural fourth. Both scales share the raised fifth. The lydian augmented scale sounds brighter.