STRINGSCALES

E lydian diminished Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G, A#, B, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

A string: A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10

D string: D#, E, F#, G, A#, B, C# at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11

G string: G, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

B string: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A#, B at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12

High E string: E, F#, G, A#, B, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

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E lydian diminished

The lydian diminished scale, the fourth mode of the harmonic major scale, crosses lydian's raised 4th with a minor 3rd. The result outlines a minor chord with a #11 and major 7th available, an ambiguous, film-noir color. It rewards slow playing that lets the b3 against #4 tension speak.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

E

i

Em
F♯

II

F♯maj
G

bIII+

Gaug
A♯

#iv°

A♯dim
B

V

Bmaj
C♯

vi°

C♯dim
D♯

vii

D♯m

Same notes, different mode

E lydian diminished 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.

B harmonic major

lydian diminished in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Hold the minor 3rd (G) against the raised 4th (A#): the film-noir rub at the heart of E lydian diminished.
  • Use it over a m(maj7) chord with a #11, or over diminished harmony that needs a lyrical top line.
  • As harmonic major's fourth mode it shares notes with the harmonic major a 4th below E; recycle those fingerings.
  • Play it slowly: this scale rewards sustained tones and voice-leading more than runs.

How to play E lydian diminished on guitar

Both E strings are open roots, open G the minor third and open B the fifth, so Em rings before you fret a note. Roots at fret 0 put the first box at the nut, so position work shifts as early as fret 4. Chord bIII+ shows up as Gaug. Barre shapes sit at fret 7 for the A form and fret 12 for the E form.

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