A Lydian #9 Guitar Scale — Drop B

Guitar scale in Drop B tuning — fretboard diagram

A lydian #9 scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the A lydian #9 scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, C.C#D#EF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#AG#ACC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#EF#EF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#ACC#CC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#AF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#ECC#D#EF#G#ACC#D#EF#G#A1357911121315171921

A Lydian #9 in Drop B — Notes and Intervals

The A Lydian #9 scale is an exotic and aggressive variation of the Lydian mode. On Guitar, 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

Tuning: Drop B (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#)

About Drop B Tuning

Drop B tuning (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#) takes the guitar into territory traditionally reserved for 7-string instruments, delivering a subsonic heaviness that you can feel in your chest. This tuning has become essential in modern extreme metal, deathcore, and djent, where low-end clarity and rhythmic precision are paramount.

Drop B represents the practical limit of what a standard 6-string guitar can handle before tone quality degrades. With the right string gauge (12-60 or heavier) and proper setup, it delivers the crushing lows of a 7-string while keeping the familiar 6-string layout. Bands like Architects, Periphery (on some tracks), and Parkway Drive have used Drop B to create some of the heaviest riffs in modern metal.

DeathcoreDjentProgressive MetalExtreme MetalMetalcore

Notable artists: Architects, Parkway Drive, Whitechapel, Born of Osiris, Emmure

Best for: Extreme metal riffs, deathcore breakdowns, djent chugs, and any style demanding the lowest possible 6-string tuning

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Drop B tuning