A Lydian #9 Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagram
A Lydian #9 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Lydian #9 scale is an exotic and aggressive variation of the Lydian mode. On Bass, the notes are A, C, C#, D#, E, F#, G#. It features a wide melodic gap that gives it a fusion edge, perfect for high-energy solos and modern jazz compositions that require a sharp, biting sound. Commonly used in Fusion, Modern Jazz, Progressive. Notable players include Allan Holdsworth, Brett Garsed. Use over 7#9#11 chords. A specialized fusion tool for adding a sharp, biting edge to Lydian-based lines.
Notes: A, C, C#, D#, E, F#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2A, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 #2 3 #4 5 6 7
Formula: WH-H-W-H-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
How to Play A Lydian #9 on Bass
On bass, locate A on the E string at fret 5. Use a one-finger-per-fret approach starting from the root and span two to three strings. Keep your fretting hand relaxed and practice shifting between positions cleanly.
The A Lydian #9 scale contains 4 sharps (C#, D#, F#, G#). Its relative minor is F# minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the A Lydian #9 scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on A to let the characteristic intervals of the Lydian #9 scale come through clearly.
Bass Tips
On bass, use the A Lydian #9 scale to build walking bass lines by targeting chord tones on strong beats and using scale tones as approach notes. This is the foundation of functional bass playing.
The A Lydian #9 scale contains 7 notes (A, C, C#, D#, E, F#, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Lydian #9
The A Lydian #9 scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.