A Lydian Augmented at a glance
Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments. Built on the root A, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | A B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W W W H W H |
| Chords in the key | A+BC♯D♯°E♯°F♯mG♯m |
Chords in the A Lydian Augmented scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A Lydian Augmented on the piano
Improvisation drone · A
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A Lydian Augmented uses four black keys (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
A · B · C♯ · D♯ · E♯ · F♯ · G♯
Play A Lydian Augmented on the online piano
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A Lydian Augmented on the guitar
A Lydian Augmented - fr 0–12
A Lydian Augmented on the staff
Notes of the A Lydian Augmented scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | C♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | D♯ | augmented 4th4A | 6 | |
| 5 | E♯ | augmented 5th5A | 8 | |
| 6 | F♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | G♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes A Lydian Augmented different
Lydian augmented is Lydian with a raised fifth, and that ♯5 is the one note separating the two. It's the third mode of melodic minor. Without a perfect fifth its tonic chord is an augmented triad, so the scale fits a maj7♯5 chord. Its first five notes are the same as the whole-tone scale's; only the top of the scale, 6 and 7, breaks the pattern of whole steps. On A, A Lydian Augmented has E♯ where A Lydian has E; every other note is shared with A Lydian (A B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯).
How to use the A Lydian Augmented scale
The diatonic chords of A Lydian Augmented are: I+ = A+, II = B, III = C♯, iv° = D♯°, v° = E♯°, vi = F♯m, vii = G♯m. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A Lydian Augmented. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments.
Practice tips
Target the raised fifth (♯5) over a major-7♯5 chord to lock in the lydian augmented sound. Try arpeggiating the I and III chords — both are augmented triads — to hear how unstable the scale is.
Formula & step pattern
The A Lydian Augmented scale follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7). Step pattern: W - W - W - W - H - W - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear A Lydian Augmented
Start with the music described above: listen for A Lydian Augmented in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the A Lydian Augmented scale?
The A Lydian Augmented scale contains A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯ and G♯.
What is the formula for the A Lydian Augmented scale?
A Lydian Augmented follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7).
Is A Lydian Augmented a major or minor scale?
A Lydian Augmented is a lydian augmented scale. Third mode of melodic minor — Lydian with a raised fifth, dreamy and otherworldly.
What chords belong to the A Lydian Augmented scale?
The diatonic chords of A Lydian Augmented are A+, B, C♯, D♯°, E♯°, F♯m, G♯m.
Which genres use A Lydian Augmented?
Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments.
How do you play the A Lydian Augmented scale on the piano?
On the piano A Lydian Augmented uses four black keys (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
What is the difference between A Lydian Augmented and A Lydian?
On A, A Lydian Augmented has E♯ where A Lydian has E; every other note is shared with A Lydian (A B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯).
How do I practise the A Lydian Augmented scale?
Target the raised fifth (♯5) over a major-7♯5 chord to lock in the lydian augmented sound. Try arpeggiating the I and III chords — both are augmented triads — to hear how unstable the scale is.