D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: D, F#, A, C#, E, G#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 11A
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-2W
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj9#11, Δ9#11, ^9#11
The D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio contains 6 notes (D, F#, A, C#, E, G#). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each arpeggio shape and pattern on Guitar. Practice ascending and descending from the root note across all strings to learn the sound of this arpeggio.
When to Use the D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio
Play the D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio whenever a D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio uses 6 notes (D, F#, A, C#, E, G#) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio at fret 10 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 5th fret on the A string. With 6 notes, this extended arpeggio covers a wide range. Break it into smaller two- or three-string groups and connect them gradually. Tapping can also help cover the extra reach needed.
The D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio outlines a D major chord and works perfectly over D, Dmaj7, D6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Play the D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on D. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 6 notes (D, F#, A, C#, E, G#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio using sweep picking across all six strings. Start with downstrokes ascending and upstrokes descending at a slow tempo, keeping each note separated rather than blurred. Mute unused strings with your fretting hand to keep the sound clean.
Related Resources
- Harmonize D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian)
- Browse Chord Progressions
- Interactive Circle of Fifths
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) on Bass
Explore D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Other Tunings
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)