Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ augmented scale on ukulele
A♭ augmented contains A♭, B, C, E♭, E, and G. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 1 and string 2, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7
How do you play the A♭ augmented scale on ukulele?
A♭ augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1 | G, A♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 3 | C, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 3 | E, G |
| 1 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ augmented in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 5 | B, C |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4 | E♭, E |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 6 | C, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
A♭ augmented in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 9 | E♭, E |
| 3 (C) | 8, 11 | A♭, B |
| 2 (E) | 8, 11 | C, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ augmented is built from the augmented scale formula: 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7. It shares its major 7th and augmented 5th with A♭ harmonic minor, but the ♯2 replaces the natural 2nd. Compare it with A♭ harmonic minor to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use A♭ augmented over A♭ major or A♭ minor when you want a raised second and fifth. It fits the key of C♭ major and its relative minor F minor. The scale suits jazz and fusion lines that need a leading tone into A♭.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 4, fret 1 keeps the hand low and the pattern compact.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ augmented?
A♭ augmented contains A♭, B, C, E♭, E, and G. The scale has a major 7th and an augmented 5th. It is a six-note scale. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does A♭ augmented fit?
A♭ augmented fits A♭ major and A♭ minor chords. It also works over B augmented and E♭ augmented. Use it when the harmony has a raised second or fifth.
Is A♭ augmented the same as A♭ harmonic minor?
A♭ augmented differs from A♭ harmonic minor by one note: the ♯2 replaces the natural 2nd. Both scales share the major 7th and augmented 5th. The ♯2 gives A♭ augmented its distinctive colour.