Playing the B Augmented Scale
B, D, D#, F#, F## and A# are the notes of the B augmented scale. F## is a double sharp that you fret as G, so if the spelling bothers you, G augmented has the same pitches with plainer names.
The open B string is the root, and the 7th fret of the low E string marks it as well. Expect a floating, unresolved sound; that is what the scale is for.
Play the B augmented scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the B augmented scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 1 | Root | 0 |
| D | b3 | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| D# | 3 | Major 3rd | 4 |
| F# | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| F## | #5 | Minor 6th | 8 |
| A# | 7 | Major 7th | 11 |
Structure
B augmented scale notes:
How the augmented scale is built:
The augmented scale is built from the degrees 1 b3 3 5 #5 7, which gives the step pattern W+H-H-W+H-H-W+H-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11. That makes it a 6-note scale.
B Augmented Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (B)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
The augmented scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
