Explore scales · Guitar
E♭ augmented scale on guitar
E♭ augmented uses E♭, F♯, G, B♭, B, D. Box 1 keeps the root on string 5, fret 6 for a low-position shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7
How do you play the E♭ augmented scale on guitar?
E♭ augmented in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the B string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 5 | B, D |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | B♭, B |
| 2 (B) | 3, 4 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 6–9
E♭ 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 B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7 | B♭, B |
| 5 (A) | 6, 9 | E♭, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | B♭, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8 | F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7 | B♭, B |
Box 3 · frets 11–14
E♭ augmented in box 3 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the low E string at fret 11, the D string at fret 13 and the high e string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 14 | E♭, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 13, 14 | B♭, B |
| 4 (D) | 12, 13 | D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12 | B♭, B |
| 1 (e) | 11, 14 | E♭, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ augmented derives from E♭ harmonic minor by raising the fourth degree, A♭, to A♮. The intervals are 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7, with step pattern 1½, H, 1½, H, 1½, H. Compare with E♭ harmonic minor to hear the raised fourth. The scale contains augmented triads E♭–G–B and G–B–D.
When to use it
Use E♭ augmented over E♭ major or E♭ minor chords for a raised fifth. It fits E♭ major or E♭ minor. Also use over F♯ augmented and B♭ augmented chords.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 5, fret 6 anchors the shape and leads to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in the E♭ augmented scale?
The notes are E♭, F♯, G, B♭, B, D. It has six notes with intervals 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7. The scale is not heptatonic. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ augmented work over?
Play it over E♭ major or E♭ minor chords. The ♯5 adds tension. It also works over F♯ augmented and B♭ augmented chords.
How is E♭ augmented different from E♭ harmonic minor?
E♭ harmonic minor has a natural fourth, A♭. E♭ augmented raises that to A♮. This creates an augmented second between G and A.