STRINGSCALES

F lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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F 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:

F

I

Fmaj
G♯

#ii°

G♯dim
A

iii

Am
B

#iv°

Bdim
C

V+

Caug
D

vi

Dm
E

VII

Emaj

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

Same notes, different mode

F 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.

G# ultralocrianA harmonic minorB locrian 6C major augmentedD dorian #4E phrygian dominant

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

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

How to play F lydian #9 on guitar

Five open strings stay inside the key, with the B string on the augmented fourth and the A string on the major third, so a drone under the line is easy to set up. Roots start at fret 1 on both E strings, which means the E-shape barre is right at the nut and the first box only reaches fret 5. Fret 3 on the D string is next. Caug is the V+ triad. Capo fret 1 and it rereads as E lydian #9, so the accidentals drop away.

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