F Lydian Augmented Banjo (5-String) Scale
Banjo (5-String) scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
F Lydian Augmented Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F Lydian Augmented scale is a majestic and highly dissonant scale used over major-augmented chords. On Banjo (5-String), it contains the notes F, G, A, B, C#, D, E. Its sharp fourth and fifth degrees create a powerful, otherworldly sound that is often used in epic cinematic scores and advanced jazz fusion. Commonly used in Film Scores, Jazz, Fusion, Progressive. Notable players include John Williams, Wayne Shorter, Joe Satriani. Use over Maj7#5, Maj7#11 chords. Perfect for epic, cinematic moments that need to feel larger than life.
Notes: F, G, A, B, C#, D, E
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4A, 5A, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 #4 #5 6 7
Formula: W-W-W-W-H-W-H
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
The #4 and #5 together create a sound of immense power and alien grandeur — like Lydian but pushed even further into the unknown.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Film Scores, Jazz, Fusion, Progressive
Notable players: John Williams, Wayne Shorter, Joe Satriani
How to Use the F Lydian Augmented Scale
Use over Maj7#5, Maj7#11 chords. Perfect for epic, cinematic moments that need to feel larger than life.
Origin & Background
The third mode of the melodic minor scale. Used in film scoring for moments of cosmic grandeur.
How to Play F Lydian Augmented on Banjo (5-String)
Begin by locating F on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Lydian Augmented scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The F Lydian Augmented scale contains 1 sharp (C#). Its relative minor is D minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Practice the F Lydian Augmented scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 7 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on F to let the characteristic intervals of the Lydian Augmented scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in jazz contexts.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the F Lydian Augmented scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed. Aim for a majestic quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Lydian Augmented is the 3rd mode of the Melodic Minor scale. View F Melodic minor scale
The F Lydian Augmented scale contains 7 notes (F, G, A, B, C#, D, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for F Lydian Augmented
The F Lydian Augmented 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 F Lydian Augmented Further
- Browse chord progressions
- F Lydian Augmented on Guitar
- F Lydian Augmented on Ukulele
- F Lydian Augmented on Bass
- F Lydian Augmented on Piano