STRINGSCALES

C lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

D string: D#, E, F#, G, A, B, C at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10

G string: G, A, B, C, D#, E, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

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

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

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C 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:

C

I

Cmaj
D♯

#ii°

D♯dim
E

iii

Em
F♯

#iv°

F♯dim
G

V+

Gaug
A

vi

Am
B

VII

Bmaj

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

Same notes, different mode

C 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# ultralocrianE harmonic minorF# locrian 6G major augmentedA dorian #4B 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 C.
  • Try harping the open intervals: root, #IV (F#), VII as a stacked voicing outlines the scale without a single run.

How to play C lydian #9 on guitar

Five open strings sit in this key, the G string as a perfect fifth and the B string as a major seventh, so a drone pair exists before you fret anything. Gaug is the V+ chord, so the fifth degree is an augmented triad with no functional dominant behind it. Roots wait at fret 8 on both E strings, with 3 on the A string and 5 on the G. Shift the box 4 semitones for E harmonic minor. Position one closes at fret 12, which means one hand shape covers the low neck.

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