A# Lydian Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
A# Lydian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A# Lydian Pentatonic scale is a mystical five-note scale that highlights the unique Lydian character. On Guitar, it contains the notes A#, D, E, F, A. It creates a floating, celestial atmosphere and is often used in modern jazz and ambient music to provide a sense of brightness and space without the density of a full scale. Commonly used in Fusion, Ambient, Film Scores, New Age. Notable players include Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, Chick Corea. Use over Maj7#11, Maj9 chords. Perfect for dreamy, non-resolving passages in fusion and ambient music.
Notes: A#, D, E, F, A
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4A, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 #3 4 5
Formula: 4-W-H-4-H
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: chinese
How to Play A# Lydian Pentatonic on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 6 on the 6th (low E) to find your A# root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The A# Lydian Pentatonic scale contains 1 sharp (A#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the A# Lydian Pentatonic scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 80 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 5 notes of the scale.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A#. Try a A#5 - F5 - A5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, try playing the A# Lydian Pentatonic scale using legato technique (hammer-ons and pull-offs) to develop a smooth, connected sound. This is particularly effective for pentatonic scale runs.
The A# Lydian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A#, D, E, F, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A# Lydian Pentatonic
The A# Lydian Pentatonic 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 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore A# Lydian Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the A# Lydian Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- A# Lydian Pentatonic on Ukulele
- A# Lydian Pentatonic on Bass
- A# Lydian Pentatonic on Piano
Explore A# Lydian Pentatonic in Other Tunings
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- A# Lydian Pentatonic in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)