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C lydian augmented scale on guitar
C lydian augmented contains C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 3, covering frets 0–3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the C lydian augmented scale on guitar?
C lydian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 14 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2, 3 | A, B, C |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 1, 3 | B, C, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C 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 A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3, 5 | B, C, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4, 5 | A, B, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
C lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 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 low E string at fret 8, the D string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 10 | B, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10 | G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
C lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 13 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 D string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
C lydian augmented is the fourth mode of G♯ melodic minor, with intervals 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7. The ♯4 and ♯5 create a double leading-tone effect. Compare C ionian augmented, which has a perfect fourth. The scale starts with three whole steps.
When to use it
Use over C augmented or C augmented major 7th chords. The ♯5 matches the chord's raised fifth, and the ♯4 adds a lydian shimmer. Works in jazz over C augmented or C augmented major 7th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1: the root on string 5, fret 3 keeps the hand in the 1–5 area. It prepares Box 2 by moving the root to string 6, fret 8.
Common questions
What chords fit C lydian augmented?
C augmented and C augmented major 7th are the main fits. The ♯5 matches the chord's raised fifth, and the major seventh is included. The ♯4 adds tension over these chords.
Is C lydian augmented the same as C major?
No, C major has F natural and G natural. C lydian augmented raises the fourth to F♯ and the fifth to G♯. That gives a brighter, more dissonant sound.
Which position should I learn first?
Box 1 is recommended. It keeps the root on string 5, fret 3, and covers frets 1–5. From there you can move to Box 2.