F♯ augmented scale on ukulele

F♯ augmented contains F♯, G♯♯, A♯, C♯, C♯♯, and E♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 6 and string 2, fret 2.

G♯♯A♯C♯C♯♯E♯F♯A♯C♯GCEA1234
Positions on the neck1 of 3

How it is built

F♯1G♯♯♯2A♯3C♯5C♯♯♯5E♯7

Formula 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7

How do you play the F♯ augmented scale on ukulele?

F♯ augmented in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 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 2.

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

Box 2 · frets 69

F♯ augmented in box 2 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 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 C string at fret 6 and the A string at fret 9.

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

Box 3 · frets 912

F♯ augmented in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯♯ on the C string at fret 9 up to G♯♯ on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 11 and the A string at fret 9.

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

Why it sounds like that

F♯ augmented is built from the augmented scale formula: 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7. It shares its major 7th and augmented 5th with F♯ harmonic minor, but the ♯2 replaces the natural 2nd. Compare it with F♯ harmonic minor to hear the difference.

When to use it

Use F♯ augmented over F♯ major or F♯ minor when you want a raised second and fifth. It fits the key of A major and its relative minor D♯ minor. The scale suits jazz and fusion lines that need a leading tone into F♯.

Which position to practise

Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3, fret 6 keeps the hand low and the pattern compact.

Common questions

What notes are in F♯ augmented?

F♯ augmented contains F♯, G♯♯, A♯, C♯, C♯♯, and E♯. 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 F♯ augmented fit?

F♯ augmented fits F♯ major and F♯ minor chords. It also works over A augmented and C♯ augmented. Use it when the harmony has a raised second or fifth.

Is F♯ augmented the same as F♯ harmonic minor?

F♯ augmented differs from F♯ harmonic minor by one note: the ♯2 replaces the natural 2nd. Both scales share the major 7th and augmented 5th. The ♯2 gives F♯ augmented its distinctive colour.