STRINGSCALES

B♭ lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

A string: A, Bb, C#, D, E, F, G, A at frets 0, 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

D string: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

G string: G, A, Bb, C#, D, E, F, G at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12

B string: C#, D, E, F, G, A, Bb at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

High E string: E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

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Bb 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:

B♭

I

B♭maj
C♯

#ii°

C♯dim
D

iii

Dm
E

#iv°

Edim
F

V+

Faug
G

vi

Gm
A

VII

Amaj

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

Same notes, different mode

Bb 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.

C# ultralocrianD harmonic minorE locrian 6F major augmentedG dorian #4A phrygian dominant

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

tip
  • The opening leap root to #2 (C#) 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 (E) while the #2 (C#) appears only as an ornament.
  • As harmonic minor's sixth mode, it shares all its notes with the harmonic minor a major 3rd above Bb.
  • Try harping the open intervals: root, #IV (E), VII as a stacked voicing outlines the scale without a single run.

How to play B♭ lydian #9 on guitar

A-shape barre lands at fret 1, so the A-string root sits one fret up from the nut with no stretch involved. Five open strings stay in the key, both E strings landing on the augmented fourth. Faug holds the V+ position. Roots also fall at 6 on the E strings, 8 on the D and 3 on the G, which means position one covers a wide band before ending at fret 10. Capo fret 1 and you get A lydian #9, so open shapes come back.

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