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F♯ lydian diminished Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

D string: D#, E#, F#, G#, A, B#, C# at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

G string: G#, A, B#, C#, D#, E#, F# at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

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

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

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F# 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:

F♯

i

F♯m
G♯

II

G♯maj
A

bIII+

Aaug
B♯

#iv°

B♯dim
C♯

V

C♯maj
D♯

vi°

D♯dim
E♯

vii

E♯m

Same notes, different mode

F# 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.

C# harmonic major

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

tip
  • Hold the minor 3rd (A) against the raised 4th (C): the film-noir rub at the heart of F# 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 F#; recycle those fingerings.
  • Play it slowly: this scale rewards sustained tones and voice-leading more than runs.

How to play F♯ lydian diminished on guitar

Open A is the one open string in the key, a minor third above F#, so drone options are thin and barre work carries the weight. Capo 2 turns the fingering into E, which lets six sharps become a shape you already play. Roots sit at fret 2 on both E strings and fret 9 on the A. Position one gives out at fret 6.

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