G lydian augmented scale on guitar

G lydian augmented uses G, A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 3, covering frets 0–3.

EF♯GABD♯EGABC♯EF♯GEADGBE123
Positions on the neck1 of 6

How it is built

G1A2B3C♯♯4D♯♯5E6F♯7

Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7

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

G 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 G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
6 (E)0, 2, 3E, F♯, G
5 (A)0, 2A, B
4 (D)1, 2D♯, E
3 (G)0, 2G, A
2 (B)0, 2B, C♯
1 (e)0, 2, 3E, F♯, G

Box 2 · frets 36

G lydian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 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 low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.

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

Box 3 · frets 58

G lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 13 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 D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.

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

Box 4 · frets 710

G lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 14 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 A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.

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

Box 5 · frets 912

G 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 A string at fret 10 and the G string at fret 12.

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

Box 6 · frets 1114

G 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 G string at fret 12.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
6 (E)11, 12, 14D♯, E, F♯
5 (A)12, 14A, B
4 (D)11, 13, 14C♯, D♯, E
3 (G)11, 12, 14F♯, G, A
2 (B)12, 14B, C♯
1 (e)11, 12, 14D♯, E, F♯

Why it sounds like that

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

When to use it

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

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 3, and the pattern covers frets 0–3. It sets up Box 2 by shifting the root to string 4, fret 5.

Common questions

What chords fit G lydian augmented?

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

No, G major has C natural and D natural. G lydian augmented raises the fourth to C♯ and the fifth to D♯. 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 3, and covers frets 2–6. From there you can slide to Box 2.