Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ ionian augmented scale on ukulele
B♭ ionian augmented runs B♭, C, D, E♭, F♯, G, A. Its raised fifth keeps the root on string 4, fret 3 in Box 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ ionian augmented scale on ukulele?
B♭ ionian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 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 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2, 3 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3 | F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B♭ ionian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 3 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ ionian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 9 | E♭, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 10–12
B♭ ionian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the C string at fret 10 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 12 | B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ ionian augmented is B♭ major with the fifth raised a semitone. The augmented fifth sits eight semitones from the root, and the scale keeps the major third, major sixth, and major seventh. The pattern is W, W, H, 1½, H, W, H.
When to use it
B♭ ionian augmented fits B♭ augmented and B♭ augmented major 7th. The leading tone A resolves to B♭. Use it for augmented colours in jazz or film music.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 3 and covers frets 0–3 for easy access to the raised fifth.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ ionian augmented?
B♭ ionian augmented contains B♭, C, D, E♭, F♯, G, and A. The scale has a major third and a raised fifth. The raised fifth is the note F♯. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ ionian augmented?
B♭ ionian augmented fits B♭ augmented and B♭ augmented major 7th chords. The scale's raised fifth matches the augmented chord's fifth. The major seventh is also a chord tone.
What is the key signature of B♭ ionian augmented?
B♭ ionian augmented has a key signature of 2 flats. The scale contains the notes B♭, C, D, E♭, F♯, G, and A. The raised fifth is F♯.