The Lydian Augmented Scale
Welcome to this lesson on the Lydian augmented mode. The Lydian augmented scale is the third mode of the melodic minor scale and is mainly used to improvise over major 7#5 chords. It is a seven note scale with the following intervals
1 2 3 #4 #5 6 7
In the key of Bb this becomes
Bb, C, D, E, F#, G, A
As you can see this mode has a sharp fourth and a sharp fifth note making it a really interesting sounding scale. The scale is called Lydian augmented because it basically a Lydian mode with a sharp (augmented) fifth. I love the sound of this scale but its use is fairly limited in traditional music. Use the Lydian augmented scale whenever you encounter a major 7#5 chord or a major 7#5#11 chord.
One of the best ways to hear the sounds of the Lydian augmented scale is to improvise over a static maj7#5 chord progression (vamp).
Lydian augmented chords
Within the Bb Lydian augmented scale we can find the following scales and arpeggios
Bbmaj7#5, C7b5, D7, Emin7b5, F#min7b5 G min/maj7 Aminor7
You can use any of the arpeggios above when improvising over a maj7#5 chord.
The major seven sharp five chord
The maj7#5 chord is a unique sound and not something that you hear too often outside the world of jazz and fusion. You should definitely get to know this chord sound because it can really add some tension and interest to a progression.
The major 7#5 chord has the following intervals
1, 3, #5, 7
In the key of Bb this becomes
Bb, D, F#, A
Lydian Augmented Scale Shapes
Exercise 1
Exercise 1 shows the first position of the Bb Lydian Augmented Scale
Exercise 2
Exercise 2 shows the second position of the Bb Lydian Augmented Scale
Exercise 3
Exercise 3 shows the third position of the Bb Lydian Augmented Scale
Exercise 4
Exercise 4 shows the fourth position of the Bb Lydian Augmented Scale
Exercise 5
Exercise 5 shows the fifthposition of the Bb Lydian Augmented Scale
Exercise 6
Exercise 6 shows the sixth position of the Bb Lydian Augmented Scale
Exercise 7
Exercise 7 shows the final position of the Bb Lydian Augmented Scale
Have fun learning this scale and see if you can find ways to include it in your own music. It will really turn some heads when used in the right place.