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B♭ ionian augmented scale on guitar
B♭ ionian augmented contains B♭, C, D, E♭, F♯, G, A. Box 2 keeps the root on string 6, fret 6 for a mid-neck augmented run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ ionian augmented scale on guitar?
B♭ ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 2 · frets 6–9
B♭ ionian 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 8. 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, 8 | B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 9 | E♭, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
B♭ ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the D string at fret 8 and the B string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 11 | E♭, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
B♭ ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 13 and the B string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
Why it sounds like that
Start with B♭ major and sharpen the fifth from F to F♯. That single change produces the ionian augmented scale, with a whole-and-a-half step between E♭ and F♯. Compare it with B♭ major to isolate the altered degree.
When to use it
Use it over B♭ augmented or B♭ augmented major 7th. The scale also works over B♭ major progressions when you want a sharp-five colour. It suits jazz and fusion contexts.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first. It keeps the root on string 6, fret 6 and spans frets 6–9, giving easy access to the augmented fifth on string 5.
Common questions
Which notes are in B♭ ionian augmented?
The notes are B♭, C, D, E♭, F♯, G, and A. The raised fifth is F♯. The scale has a major third and major seventh. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What chords fit B♭ ionian augmented?
The tonic chord is B♭ augmented or B♭ augmented major 7th. You can also use it over B♭ major progressions when you want a sharp-five colour. The scale contains the major third and major seventh.
How does B♭ ionian augmented differ from B♭ major?
Only the fifth degree changes: F becomes F♯. The rest of the scale is identical to B♭ major. This one alteration creates the augmented sound.