F lydian augmented scale on ukulele

F lydian augmented runs F, G, A, B, C♯, D, E. Box 1 roots are on string 3, fret 5 and string 2, fret 1.

ABC♯DEFGBC♯GCEA1234
Positions on the neck1 of 4

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 ukulele?

F lydian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the E string at fret 1.

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

Box 2 · frets 58

F lydian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the C string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 8.

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

Box 3 · frets 710

F lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 10 and the A string at fret 8.

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

Box 4 · frets 912

F lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 10.

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

Why it sounds like that

Take F ionian augmented and raise the fourth from B♭ to B. The pattern is whole, whole, whole, whole, half, whole, half. Compare with F ionian augmented to hear the change.

When to use it

Fit it over F augmented or F augmented major 7th chords. The scale suits funk and modal jazz. Try F augmented or F augmented major 7th.

Which position to practise

Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3, fret 5 is mid-neck, and string 2, fret 1 gives a low alternative.

Common questions

Which notes make this scale lydian augmented?

The raised fourth (B) and raised fifth (C♯) define the sound. The rest are major scale degrees. This combination creates a whole-tone run from F to C♯.

Can I play this over a plain F major chord?

No, the B and C♯ clash with the chord's B♭ and C. Use it only over augmented or augmented-major seventh chords. The scale is designed for those harmonic colours.

Why does Box 1 have two roots?

The reentrant G string places the low root on string 3, fret 5. The high root on string 2, fret 1 gives an octave reference. Both are valid starting points.

Is this scale symmetric?

No, the step pattern is not symmetric. The whole-tone run from F to C♯ is followed by a half step to D. Only diminished seventh chords repeat every three frets.