Lydian Augmented: guitar scale formula, degrees and fretboard patterns

Scale formula

Formula: 1 2 3 #4 #5 6 7. Classification: unstable.

Description

Detailed explanation Lydian augmented is the 3rd mode of melodic minor — Lydian with a sharp 5th, so both #4 and #5 at once. The characteristic sound Two raised degrees lift it even higher than Lydian. The sound floats, spacious and weightless, with no foundation underneath. Tonic and function The tonic is maj7#5 — a very bright, lifted color. Chords and use Over maj7#5 and maj7#11#5. In modern jazz and film music as a maximally bright tonic. Essence Lydian with a sharp 5th. The most lifted major scale.

Degree functions

• I — Augmented tonic: Degree I holds the center, but the center sounds like a tense coloristic tonic.
• II — Upper extension: Degree II helps preserve major clarity inside saturated color.
• III — Major identity: Degree III fixes the major quality.
• #IV — Lydian color: Degree #IV gives the mode its lydian airiness.
• #V — Augmented fifth color: Degree #V increases instability and expands the vertical sonority.
• VI — Bright release: Degree VI often becomes the release point for #V.
• VII — Leading tone: Degree VII preserves direction toward I.

Use cases

• Maj7#5#11 harmony
• film and fusion color
• modern jazz major sonority
• color-tonic passages
• upper-structure study

Typical progressions

• Imaj7#5#11 pedal vamp
• IIImaj7#5#11–vi
• Imaj7#5#11–IVmaj7
• color-tonic loop