STRINGSCALES

A♭ lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F, G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

A string: B, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

D string: D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, C, D at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

G string: G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb, F, G at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

B string: B, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

High E string: F, G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

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Ab lydian #9

The lydian #9 scale, the sixth mode of the harmonic minor scale, is lydian with its 2nd raised to a sharp 9: an augmented 2nd right at the start, then pure brightness. The strange leap into a serene lydian upper structure gives it a ceremonial, almost liturgical character. A rare color, best over maj7#11 chords that can absorb the #9.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A♭

I

A♭maj
B

#ii°

Bdim
C

iii

Cm
D

#iv°

Ddim
E♭

V+

E♭aug
F

vi

Fm
G

VII

Gmaj

Characteristic note: B (#2), the raised second stacked on top of lydian brightness.

Same notes, different mode

Ab lydian #9 uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B ultralocrianC harmonic minorD locrian 6Eb major augmentedF dorian #4G phrygian dominant

lydian #9 in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • The opening leap root to #2 (B) sets the ceremony; from III upward it is pure lydian, so phrase in two panels: exotic low, serene high.
  • Use it over maj7#11 chords that can absorb a #9; sustain VII and #IV (D) while the #2 (B) appears only as an ornament.
  • As harmonic minor's sixth mode, it shares all its notes with the harmonic minor a major 3rd above Ab.
  • Try harping the open intervals: root, #IV (D), VII as a stacked voicing outlines the scale without a single run.

How to play A♭ lydian #9 on guitar

Open B is the augmented second here and the D string the augmented fourth, so both defining alterations are available as ringing notes. Fret 1 on the G string gives the root nearest the nut, so the shape can be built without leaving the first four frets. Roots also sit at 4 on both E strings and 11 on the A. Ebaug shows up as V+. Capo fret 1 for G lydian #9, so open-position work is on the table.

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