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D lydian augmented scale on guitar
D lydian augmented contains D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 5, covering frets 0–3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the D lydian augmented scale on guitar?
D lydian augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the D string at fret 0 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D lydian augmented in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 14 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
D lydian augmented in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
D lydian augmented in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D lydian augmented in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12 | A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
D lydian augmented is the fourth mode of A♯ melodic minor, with intervals 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7. The ♯4 and ♯5 create a double leading-tone effect. Compare D ionian augmented, which has a perfect fourth. The scale starts with three whole steps.
When to use it
Use over D augmented or D augmented major 7th chords. The ♯5 matches the chord's raised fifth, and the ♯4 adds a lydian shimmer. Works in jazz over D augmented or D augmented major 7th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1: the root on string 5, fret 5 keeps the hand in the 1–5 area. It prepares Box 2 by moving the root to string 5, fret 5 and adding string 3, fret 7.
Common questions
What chords fit D lydian augmented?
D augmented and D augmented major 7th are the main fits. The ♯5 matches the chord's raised fifth, and the major seventh is included. The ♯4 adds tension over these chords.
Is D lydian augmented the same as D major?
No, D major has G natural and A natural. D lydian augmented raises the fourth to G♯ and the fifth to A♯. That gives a brighter, more dissonant sound.
Which position should I learn first?
Box 1 is recommended. It keeps the root on string 5, fret 5, and covers frets 1–5. From there you can move to Box 2.