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