E♯ Lydian Augmented scale

The E♯ Lydian Augmented scale is a 7-note lydian augmented scale built on the root E♯. Its notes are E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, A𝄪, B𝄪, C𝄪 and D𝄪. Third mode of melodic minor — Lydian with a raised fifth, dreamy and otherworldly. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make E♯ Lydian Augmented a great tool for improvising and composing.

Short answer

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 E♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where E♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.

Notes
E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A𝄪 · B𝄪 · C𝄪 · D𝄪
Formula
1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M
Step pattern
W W W W H W H
Tonic
E♯

E♯ Lydian Augmented on the piano

Show:
Piano keyboard highlighting the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale notesC𝄪D𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪C𝄪D𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪B𝄪B𝄪E♯ Lydian Augmented - E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A𝄪 · B𝄪 · C𝄪 · D𝄪

E♯ Lydian Augmented on the guitar

Show:
Position:
Guitar fretboard highlighting the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale noteseBGDAED𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪B𝄪C𝄪D𝄪A𝄪B𝄪C𝄪D𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪B𝄪C𝄪D𝄪E♯F𝄪C𝄪D𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪B𝄪C𝄪G𝄪A𝄪B𝄪C𝄪D𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪D𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪B𝄪C𝄪D𝄪E♯ Lydian Augmented - fr 012

E♯ Lydian Augmented on the staff

Hear the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale

E♯ Lydian Augmented
E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A𝄪 · B𝄪 · C𝄪 · D𝄪
E♯F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪B𝄪C𝄪D𝄪

Improvisation drone

Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.

E♯ Lydian Augmented
E♯

Notes of the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale

DegreeIntervalSemitonesNoteHear
11P0E♯(E#)
22M2F𝄪(F##)
33M4G𝄪(G##)
44A6A𝄪(A##)
55A8B𝄪(B##)
66M9C𝄪(C##)
77M11D𝄪(D##)

Diatonic chords of E♯ Lydian Augmented

These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.

How to use the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale

The diatonic chords of E♯ Lydian Augmented are: I+ = E♯+, II = F𝄪, III = G𝄪, iv° = A𝄪°, v° = B𝄪°, vi = C𝄪m, vii = D𝄪m. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in E♯ Lydian Augmented. Click any chord below to open its full 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.

Where you will hear E♯ Lydian Augmented

E♯ Lydian Augmented appears throughout 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. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.

Formula & step pattern

Formula
1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M
Step pattern
W - W - W - W - H - W - H

The E♯ 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.

Questions people ask

What notes are in the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale?
The E♯ Lydian Augmented scale contains E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, A𝄪, B𝄪, C𝄪 and D𝄪.
What is the formula for the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale?
E♯ Lydian Augmented follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7).
Is E♯ Lydian Augmented a major or minor scale?
E♯ 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 E♯ Lydian Augmented scale?
The diatonic chords of E♯ Lydian Augmented are E♯+, F𝄪, G𝄪, A𝄪°, B𝄪°, C𝄪m, D𝄪m.
Which genres use E♯ 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 I practise the E♯ 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.