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