Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ lydian scale on guitar
F♯ lydian contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, and E♯. The raised fourth is enharmonic with C, creating a unique spelling.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the F♯ lydian scale on guitar?
F♯ lydian in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 12 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 low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, B♯ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F♯ lydian in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 13 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the D string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ lydian in box 3 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 A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F♯ lydian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 17 notes across 6 strings, from B♯ on the low E string at fret 8 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F♯ lydian in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 15 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the low E string at fret 14, the G string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ lydian is F♯ major with a raised fourth: B♯ replaces B. The step pattern is W, W, W, H, W, W, H. Compare with F♯ major to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use F♯ lydian over F♯ major or F♯ 5th chords for a bright, exotic color. It fits the IV chord in C♯ major progressions and suits fusion and neoclassical metal.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 2, giving a low anchor. That box covers frets 2–5 and sets up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ lydian?
F♯ lydian has F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, and E♯. The raised fourth is B♯, enharmonic with C. It is a major scale with a sharpened fourth degree. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ lydian?
F♯ lydian fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over the IV chord in C♯ major. The ♯4 adds tension over the tonic.
How is F♯ lydian different from F♯ major?
F♯ lydian raises the fourth degree from B to B♯. This creates a whole step between the third and fourth. The rest of the notes are identical.