STRINGSCALES

E♭ lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Eb 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:

E♭

I

E♭maj
F♯

#ii°

F♯dim
G

iii

Gm
A

#iv°

Adim
B♭

V+

B♭aug
C

vi

Cm
D

VII

Dmaj

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

Same notes, different mode

Eb 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.

F# ultralocrianG harmonic minorA locrian 6Bb major augmentedC dorian #4D 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 (A) 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 Eb.
  • Try harping the open intervals: root, #IV (A), VII as a stacked voicing outlines the scale without a single run.

How to play E♭ lydian #9 on guitar

Three open strings hold, the A as an augmented fourth, the D as a major seventh and the G as a major third. Fret 1 on the D string is the lowest root, which lets you set the shape near the nut rather than up at 11. Roots also sit at 6 on the A and 8 on the G, so the middle strings stay covered. Bbaug sits on the fifth degree as V+. Capo fret 1 and it becomes D lydian #9, so the same fingering can be checked in open position.

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