STRINGSCALES

G lydian #9 Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

D string: D, E, F#, G, A#, B, C#, D at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12

G string: G, A#, B, C#, D, E, F#, G at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

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

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

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G 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:

G

I

Gmaj
A♯

#ii°

A♯dim
B

iii

Bm
C♯

#iv°

C♯dim
D

V+

Daug
E

vi

Em
F♯

VII

F♯maj

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

Same notes, different mode

G 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.

A# ultralocrianB harmonic minorC# locrian 6D major augmentedE dorian #4F# phrygian dominant

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

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

How to play G lydian #9 on guitar

Open G is the tonic, the open B a major third above it and the open D a perfect fifth, so root, third and fifth all ring untouched. Daug takes V+, which means the open D you keep ringing also roots that triad. Fretted roots return at 3 on both E strings, plus 10 on the A and 5 on the D. Both E strings add a major sixth. Position one hands off at fret 7, so the 3rd-fret box is short.

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