G♯ 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 G♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where G♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | G♯ A♯ B♯ C𝄪 D𝄪 E♯ F𝄪 |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W W W H W H |
| Chords in the key | G♯+A♯B♯C𝄪°D𝄪°E♯mF𝄪m |
Chords in the G♯ Lydian Augmented scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
G♯ Lydian Augmented on the piano
Improvisation drone · G♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano G♯ Lydian Augmented uses two black keys (G♯ and A♯) and five white. B♯, C𝄪, D𝄪, E♯ and F𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C, D, E, F and G.
G♯ · A♯ · B♯ · C𝄪 · D𝄪 · E♯ · F𝄪
Try G♯ Lydian Augmented on the virtual piano
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G♯ Lydian Augmented on the guitar
G♯ Lydian Augmented - fr 0–12
G♯ Lydian Augmented on the staff
Notes of the G♯ Lydian Augmented scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | A♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | B♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | C𝄪 | augmented 4th4A | 6 | |
| 5 | D𝄪 | augmented 5th5A | 8 | |
| 6 | E♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | F𝄪 | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes G♯ 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 G♯, G♯ Lydian Augmented has D𝄪 where G♯ Lydian has D♯; every other note is shared with G♯ Lydian (G♯ A♯ B♯ C𝄪 D♯ E♯ F𝄪).
How to use the G♯ Lydian Augmented scale
The diatonic chords of G♯ Lydian Augmented are: I+ = G♯+, II = A♯, III = B♯, iv° = C𝄪°, v° = D𝄪°, vi = E♯m, vii = F𝄪m. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in G♯ 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 G♯ 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 G♯ Lydian Augmented
Start with the music described above: listen for G♯ 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 G♯ Lydian Augmented scale?
The G♯ Lydian Augmented scale contains G♯, A♯, B♯, C𝄪, D𝄪, E♯ and F𝄪.
What is the formula for the G♯ Lydian Augmented scale?
G♯ Lydian Augmented follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7).
Is G♯ Lydian Augmented a major or minor scale?
G♯ 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 G♯ Lydian Augmented scale?
The diatonic chords of G♯ Lydian Augmented are G♯+, A♯, B♯, C𝄪°, D𝄪°, E♯m, F𝄪m.
Which genres use G♯ 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 G♯ Lydian Augmented scale on the piano?
On the piano G♯ Lydian Augmented uses two black keys (G♯ and A♯) and five white. B♯, C𝄪, D𝄪, E♯ and F𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call C, D, E, F and G.
What is the difference between G♯ Lydian Augmented and G♯ Lydian?
On G♯, G♯ Lydian Augmented has D𝄪 where G♯ Lydian has D♯; every other note is shared with G♯ Lydian (G♯ A♯ B♯ C𝄪 D♯ E♯ F𝄪).
How do I practise the G♯ 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.