B Lydian Diminished Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
B Lydian Diminished Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Lydian Diminished scale is a synthetic scale that blends the ethereal brightness of Lydian with the tension of a minor third. On Guitar, it contains the notes B, C#, D, F, F#, G#, A#. It is used to create a mysterious, neo-classical atmosphere that feels both ancient and modern at the same time. Commonly used in Film Scores, Neo-Classical, Fusion. Notable players include Danny Elfman, Bela Bartok. Use over m(Maj7), mMaj7#11 chords. A specialized color for neo-classical and cinematic passages.
Notes: B, C#, D, F, F#, G#, A#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 7
Formula: W-H-WH-H-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
How to Play B Lydian Diminished on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 7 on the 6th (low E) to find your B root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is 2nd fret on the A string.
The B Lydian Diminished scale contains 4 sharps (C#, F#, G#, A#). Its relative minor is G# minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the B Lydian Diminished 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 B to let the characteristic intervals of the Lydian Diminished scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the B Lydian Diminished scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications.
The B Lydian Diminished scale contains 7 notes (B, C#, D, F, F#, G#, A#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Lydian Diminished
The B Lydian Diminished 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.
Explore B Lydian Diminished Further
- Harmonize the B Lydian Diminished scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- B Lydian Diminished on Ukulele
- B Lydian Diminished on Bass
- B Lydian Diminished on Piano
Explore B Lydian Diminished in Other Tunings
- B Lydian Diminished in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Lydian Diminished in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- B Lydian Diminished in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- B Lydian Diminished in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- B Lydian Diminished in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- B Lydian Diminished in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- B Lydian Diminished in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- B Lydian Diminished in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- B Lydian Diminished in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- B Lydian Diminished in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- B Lydian Diminished in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- B Lydian Diminished in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- B Lydian Diminished in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- B Lydian Diminished in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)