Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ lydian augmented scale on ukulele
B♭ lydian augmented is B♭, C, D, E, F♯, G, A. Box 1 keeps the root on string 4, fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ lydian augmented scale on ukulele?
B♭ lydian 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 | C, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B♭ lydian 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, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
B♭ lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6, 7 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 6 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
B♭ lydian augmented in box 4 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, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
B♭ lydian augmented in box 5 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, 12 | D, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ lydian augmented raises the fourth and fifth of B♭ major, producing intervals 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7. The scale contains a tritone between B♭ and E and a leading tone from A to B♭. Compare it with B♭ ionian augmented, which has a natural fourth.
When to use it
Use B♭ lydian augmented over B♭ augmented and B♭ augmented major 7th. It also fits C major and C 5th chords. The scale suits modern jazz and fusion lines.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 3 and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ lydian augmented?
B♭ lydian augmented contains B♭, C, D, E, F♯, G, and A. The formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7. It has a tritone and a leading tone. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ lydian augmented?
B♭ lydian augmented fits B♭ augmented and B♭ augmented major 7th chords. It also works over C major and C 5th. Use it for a bright, tense sound.
What is the difference between B♭ lydian augmented and B♭ ionian augmented?
B♭ lydian augmented has a raised fourth, E, while B♭ ionian augmented has a natural fourth, E♭. Both scales share the augmented fifth, F♯. The raised fourth creates the lydian augmented sound.