Explore scales · Guitar
B♭ augmented scale on guitar
B♭ augmented uses B♭, C♯, D, F, F♯, A. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 6 for a low-position shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7
How do you play the B♭ augmented scale on guitar?
B♭ augmented in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2 | F, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 4 | B♭, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4 | F, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3 | C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2 | F, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 6–9
B♭ augmented in box 2 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 6, the D string at fret 8 and the high e string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 9 | B♭, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | F, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7 | F, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 9 | B♭, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 9–12
B♭ augmented in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the B string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 12 | F♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | F, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ augmented derives from B♭ harmonic minor by raising the fourth degree, E♭, to E♮. The intervals are 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7, with step pattern 1½, H, 1½, H, 1½, H. Compare with B♭ harmonic minor to hear the raised fourth. The scale contains augmented triads B♭–D–F♯ and D–F♯–A.
When to use it
Use B♭ augmented over B♭ major or B♭ minor chords for a raised fifth. It fits B♭ major or B♭ minor. Also use over C♯ augmented and F augmented chords.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 6, fret 6 gives a low anchor and prepares Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in the B♭ augmented scale?
The notes are B♭, C♯, D, F, F♯, A. It has six notes with intervals 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7. The scale is not heptatonic. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ augmented work over?
Play it over B♭ major or B♭ minor chords. The ♯5 adds tension. It also works over C♯ augmented and F augmented chords.
How is B♭ augmented different from B♭ harmonic minor?
B♭ harmonic minor has a natural fourth, E♭. B♭ augmented raises that to E♮. This creates an augmented second between D and E.