STRINGSCALES

B lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E#, F#, G#, A#, B, C##, D# at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

A string: A#, B, C##, D#, E#, F#, G# at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11

D string: C##, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B, C## at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

G string: G#, A#, B, C##, D#, E#, F# at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

B string: B, C##, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

High E string: E#, F#, G#, A#, B, C##, D# at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

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B 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

Bmaj
C𝄪

#ii°

C𝄪dim
D♯

iii

D♯m
E♯

#iv°

E♯dim
F♯

V+

F♯aug
G♯

vi

G♯m
A♯

VII

A♯maj

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

Same notes, different mode

B 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.

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

How to play B lydian #9 on guitar

Open B is the tonic and the open D spells C##, the augmented second, so the interval that defines this scale is sitting on an open string. F#aug answers to V+, so the augmented triad roots on the fifth degree, not the tonic. Fretted roots sit at 7 on both E strings, 2 on the A and 9 on the D. Only two open strings belong. Position one ends at fret 11, so the 7th-fret box carries the low register.

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