Explore scales · Guitar
A lydian augmented scale on guitar
A lydian augmented uses A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯. Its wide whole-tone run makes Box 1 a fast way to cover frets 1–4.
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 1 to fret 4, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
A lydian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7 | G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7 | E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
A lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 13 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 14 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | G♯, A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
A lydian augmented is the fourth mode of E♯ melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7. The ♯4 and ♯5 give two leading tones above the root. Compare A ionian augmented, which keeps a perfect fourth. The scale contains three consecutive whole steps from the root.
When to use it
Use over A augmented or A augmented major 7th chords. The ♯5 matches the chord's raised fifth, while the ♯4 adds a lydian color. Try it in jazz or fusion over A augmented and A augmented major 7th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 5, and the pattern covers frets 1–4. It sets up Box 2 by shifting the same shape up three frets.
Common questions
What chords fit A lydian augmented?
A augmented and A augmented major 7th are the primary choices. The scale's ♯5 matches the augmented fifth, and the major seventh fits the chord. The ♯4 works as a color tone over these chords.
Is A lydian augmented the same as A major?
No, A major has D natural and E natural. A lydian augmented raises the fourth to D♯ and the fifth to E♯. That creates a brighter, more tense sound.
Which position should I learn first?
Box 1 is the best starting point. It keeps the root on string 6, fret 5, and covers frets 1–5. From there you can slide to Box 2.