D Lydian Augmented Scale

What is the D Lydian Augmented Scale?

Lydian augmented is the third mode of the melodic minor scale, combining the dreamy #4 of Lydian with a #5 that pushes the brightness even further into otherworldly territory. It's a favorite in modern jazz for augmented major 7th chords, creating a sound that feels both familiar and strangely beautiful. Here's how the D Lydian Augmented Scale lays out on the fretboard.

Notes and Positions

Lydian with a raised 5th; 3rd mode of melodic minor. Bright and ethereal. On bass, the fretboard view helps you visualize where the important tones sit for building lines across positions. Use a finger-per-fret approach first, then add shifts only when the line needs a wider range. In the key of D, the notes are: D, E, F#, G#, A#, B, C#.

How to Use It

You'll often hear it in Jazz, Fusion, and Film Scores. A good way to internalize the sound is to sing the root, then sing a few scale degrees before you play them.

Start with the root on beat 1, add the 5th on beat 3, then work the other scale tones in as passing notes. Use the interactive fretboard above to spot repeats of the same note on different strings and frets.