STRINGSCALES

D♭ lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

A string: Bb, C, Db, E, F, G, Ab at frets 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11

D string: E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db at frets 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

G string: G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E, F, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12

B string: C, Db, E, F, G, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11

High E string: E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12

Pick a root note

Pick a scale

Db 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:

D♭

I

D♭maj
E

#ii°

Edim
F

iii

Fm
G

#iv°

Gdim
A♭

V+

A♭aug
B♭

vi

B♭m
C

VII

Cmaj

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

Same notes, different mode

Db 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.

E ultralocrianF harmonic minorG locrian 6Ab major augmentedBb dorian #4C phrygian dominant

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

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

How to play D♭ lydian #9 on guitar

Both E strings land on the augmented second and the G string on the augmented fourth, so the two open notes you get are exactly the altered ones. Roots begin at fret 9 on the low E and at 4 on the A string. Abaug occupies V+. Capo fret 1 and the key reads as C lydian #9, which lets you learn the shape in open position first, with position one giving out at fret 13.

homeall scalesaboutfaqpricingmicrotonalterms & conditionsprivacy policycookie policy© 2026 StringScales. All rights reserved.