A# Lydian Pentatonic Piano Scale
Piano scale diagramAdvanced
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 Piano, 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
Musical Character
Highlights the #4 tritone in just 5 notes, creating maximum 'floating' sensation with minimum complexity. A shortcut to cinematic sounds.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Fusion, Ambient, Film Scores, New Age
Notable players: Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, Chick Corea
How to Use the A# Lydian Pentatonic Scale
Use over Maj7#11, Maj9 chords. Perfect for dreamy, non-resolving passages in fusion and ambient music.
Origin & Background
Modern theoretical extraction for guitarists seeking the Lydian color in a more playable pentatonic form.
How to Play A# Lydian Pentatonic on Piano
On piano, the A# Lydian Pentatonic scale uses 1 black key. Start with your thumb on A# and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
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
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the A# Lydian Pentatonic 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.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A#. Try a A#5 - F5 - A5 progression. This scale is especially effective in new age contexts.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the A# Lydian Pentatonic scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry. Aim for a ethereal quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Lydian Pentatonic is the Five-note Lydian subset. View A# Lydian scale
The A# Lydian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A#, D, E, F, A). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.