STRINGSCALES

A lydian minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, A, B, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

A string: A, B, C#, D#, E, F, G, A at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

D string: D#, E, F, G, A, B, C# at frets 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11

G string: G, A, B, C#, D#, E, F, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12

B string: B, C#, D#, E, F, G, A, B at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

High E string: E, F, G, A, B, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

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A lydian minor

The lydian minor scale pairs a bright lydian bottom (natural 2nd and 3rd, raised 4th) with a minor top (flat 6th and 7th). The same collection appears as the fourth mode of the neapolitan major catalogue under the name lydian dominant b6. It is a bittersweet dominant color: shimmering below, sinking above, at home in film scoring.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I

Amaj
B

II

Bmaj♭5
C♯

iii°

C♯dim
D♯

#IV

F7no5/D♯
E

v

Em
F

bVI+

Faug
G

bVII+

Gaug

Same notes, different mode

A lydian minor 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.

A lydian dominant b6B major locrianC# half-diminished b4D# altered dominant double b3E neapolitan majorF leading whole toneG lydian augmented dominant

lydian minor in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Bright bottom, minor top: rise through the lydian half (II, III, #IV (D#)), then let b6 (F) and b7 (G) sink the landing.
  • Over a dominant chord heading to minor, it promises the darkness early; III and b7 (G) are the guide tones.
  • The same notes are catalogued as lydian dominant b6 (F), the fourth mode of neapolitan major; both names, one sound.
  • Film-score trick: hold a plain major triad on A and melodize with this scale; the b6 (F) against the chord's 5th is instant unease.

How to play A lydian minor on guitar

Five open strings belong to this key, and the D string is the only one left out. Open A is the root itself and both E strings carry the fifth, which means a drone is available with no left hand at all. Nearest fretted root is fret 2 on the G string, so second position gives you an anchor away from the open one. Lowest-pitched root is fret 5 on the low E.

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