STRINGSCALES

D lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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D 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

Dmaj
E♯

#ii°

E♯dim
F♯

iii

F♯m
G♯

#iv°

G♯dim
A

V+

Aaug
B

vi

Bm
C♯

VII

C♯maj

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

Same notes, different mode

D 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 6A major augmentedB dorian #4C# phrygian dominant

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

tip
  • The opening leap root to #2 (F) 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 (F) appears only as an ornament.
  • As harmonic minor's sixth mode, it shares all its notes with the harmonic minor a major 3rd above D.
  • 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

Open D gives the tonic, the open A a perfect fifth and the open B a major sixth, so three strings can ring while you work above them. Aaug fills the V+ slot, which means the open A under your line also roots that augmented chord. Fretted roots sit at 10 on both E strings, 5 on the A and 7 on the G. Nudge it up 4 semitones for F# harmonic minor. Position one runs to fret 14, so the shift comes late.

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