F lydian augmented scale on guitar

F lydian augmented uses F, G, A, B, C♯, D, E. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 1, covering frets 1–4.

FGBC♯EFABC♯DFGEADGBE1234
Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it is built

F1G2A3B♯4C♯♯5D6E7

Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7

How do you play the F lydian augmented scale on guitar?

F lydian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
6 (E)1, 3F, G
5 (A)2, 4B, C♯
4 (D)2, 3E, F
3 (G)2, 4A, B
2 (B)2, 3C♯, D
1 (e)1, 3F, G

Box 2 · frets 36

F lydian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 13 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the D string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 6.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
6 (E)3, 5G, A
5 (A)4, 5C♯, D
4 (D)3, 5F, G
3 (G)4, 6B, C♯
2 (B)3, 5, 6D, E, F
1 (e)3, 5G, A

Box 3 · frets 58

F lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 14 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the B string at fret 6.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
6 (E)5, 7A, B
5 (A)5, 7, 8D, E, F
4 (D)5, 7G, A
3 (G)6, 7C♯, D
2 (B)5, 6, 8E, F, G
1 (e)5, 7A, B

Box 4 · frets 710

F lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
6 (E)7, 9, 10B, C♯, D
5 (A)7, 8, 10E, F, G
4 (D)7, 9A, B
3 (G)7, 9, 10D, E, F
2 (B)8, 10G, A
1 (e)7, 9, 10B, C♯, D

Box 5 · frets 912

F lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
6 (E)9, 10, 12C♯, D, E
5 (A)10, 12G, A
4 (D)9, 11, 12B, C♯, D
3 (G)9, 10, 12E, F, G
2 (B)10, 12A, B
1 (e)9, 10, 12C♯, D, E

Why it sounds like that

F lydian augmented is the fourth mode of C♯ melodic minor, built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7. The ♯4 and ♯5 create two leading tones above the root. Compare F ionian augmented, which has a perfect fourth. The scale opens with three whole steps.

When to use it

Use over F augmented or F augmented major 7th chords. The ♯5 matches the chord's raised fifth, and the ♯4 adds a lydian color. Try it in fusion over F augmented or F augmented major 7th.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 1, and the pattern covers frets 1–4. It sets up Box 2 by shifting the root to string 4, fret 3.

Common questions

What chords fit F lydian augmented?

F augmented and F 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 F lydian augmented the same as F major?

No, F major has B♭ and C natural. F lydian augmented raises the fourth to B and the fifth to C♯. 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 6, fret 1, and covers frets 1–5. From there you can slide to Box 2.