E♯ 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 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 |
| Chords in the key | E♯+F𝄪G𝄪A𝄪°B𝄪°C𝄪mD𝄪m |
Chords in the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
E♯ Lydian Augmented on the piano
Improvisation drone · E♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano E♯ Lydian Augmented uses one black key (B𝄪) and six white. E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, A𝄪, C𝄪 and D𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G, A, B, D and E.
E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A𝄪 · B𝄪 · C𝄪 · D𝄪
Try E♯ Lydian Augmented on the virtual piano
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E♯ Lydian Augmented on the guitar
E♯ Lydian Augmented - fr 0–12
E♯ Lydian Augmented on the staff
Notes of the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | F𝄪 | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | G𝄪 | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | A𝄪 | augmented 4th4A | 6 | |
| 5 | B𝄪 | augmented 5th5A | 8 | |
| 6 | C𝄪 | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | D𝄪 | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes E♯ 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 E♯, E♯ Lydian Augmented has B𝄪 where E♯ Lydian has B♯; every other note is shared with E♯ Lydian (E♯ F𝄪 G𝄪 A𝄪 B♯ C𝄪 D𝄪).
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. 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 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.
Where you will hear E♯ Lydian Augmented
Start with the music described above: listen for E♯ 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 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 you play the E♯ Lydian Augmented scale on the piano?
On the piano E♯ Lydian Augmented uses one black key (B𝄪) and six white. E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, A𝄪, C𝄪 and D𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G, A, B, D and E.
What is the difference between E♯ Lydian Augmented and E♯ Lydian?
On E♯, E♯ Lydian Augmented has B𝄪 where E♯ Lydian has B♯; every other note is shared with E♯ Lydian (E♯ F𝄪 G𝄪 A𝄪 B♯ C𝄪 D𝄪).
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.