STRINGSCALES

F♯ lydian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#, D# at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

A string: A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F#, G# at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

D string: D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11

G string: G#, A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F# at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

B string: B#, C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A# at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11

High E string: E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#, D# at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

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F# lydian

The lydian mode is a major scale with a raised 4th, the fourth mode of the major key a fifth below. Removing the one note that pulled toward resolution leaves it floating and weightless, the classic film score and dream sequence sound, and a favorite of guitarists like Vai and Satriani. Over a major 7th chord the #4 turns a plain arpeggio line into something modern.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

F♯

I

F♯maj
G♯

II

G♯maj
A♯

iii

A♯m
B♯

#iv°

B♯dim
C♯

V

C♯maj
D♯

vi

D♯m
E♯

vii

E♯m

Characteristic note: C (#4), the raised fourth that gives lydian its floating sound.

Same notes, different mode

F# lydian 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# mixolydianA# minor · relative minorB# locrianC# major · relative majorD# dorianE# phrygian

lydian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Float the raised 4th (C) over a plain F# major chord; hold it rather than resolving it, since that suspension is the lydian sound.
  • Avoid the perfect 4th entirely: every time a major-scale habit reaches for (B), play #IV (C) instead and the line turns cinematic.
  • Vamp two major chords a whole step apart (I and II in F# lydian) to establish the mode without a bass player.
  • Target chord tones of a maj7#11 arpeggio: root, the 3rd (A#), the raised 4th (C) and the 7th (F); the #11 sits right inside the arpeggio in this mode.

How to play F♯ lydian on guitar

Not one open string fits this key, so every phrase has to be fingered from the start. Low E fret 2 holds the bottom root and G string fret 11 the top one, which means the shape reaches across a wide span. Capo fret 2 puts E lydian shapes exactly here. Seven sharps sit in the signature, so most players treat this as a fingering rather than a spelling. Fret 6 ends the opening box.

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