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B lydian augmented scale on guitar
B lydian augmented uses B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, A♯. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 2, covering frets 1–4.
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 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 A string at fret 2 and the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B lydian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯♯ on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | D♯, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 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 low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
B lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 13 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 D string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
B lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 14 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to E♯ on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 14 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 13 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
Why it sounds like that
B lydian augmented is the fourth mode of G♯ melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7. The ♯4 and ♯5 create two leading tones above the root. Compare B ionian augmented, which has a perfect fourth. The scale opens with three whole steps.
When to use it
Use over B augmented or B augmented major 7th chords. The ♯5 matches the chord's raised fifth, and the ♯4 adds a lydian color. Try it in fusion over B augmented or B augmented major 7th.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 5, fret 2, and the pattern covers frets 1–4. It sets up Box 2 by shifting the root to string 6, fret 7.
Common questions
What chords fit B lydian augmented?
B augmented and B augmented major 7th are the primary choices. The ♯5 matches the chord's raised fifth, and the major seventh is included. The ♯4 works as a color tone.
Is B lydian augmented the same as B major?
No, B major has E natural and F♯. B lydian augmented raises the fourth to E♯ and the fifth to F♯♯. 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 5, fret 2, and covers frets 1–5. From there you can slide to Box 2.