A Lydian Pentatonic Mandolin Scale
Mandolin scale — fretboard 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 Mandolin, it contains the notes A, C#, D#, E, G#. 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, C#, D#, E, G#
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 Mandolin
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 5 notes of the Lydian Pentatonic scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Lydian Pentatonic scale contains 3 sharps (C#, D#, G#). 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 A5 - E5 - G#5 progression. This scale is especially effective in new age contexts.
Mandolin Tips
Practice the A Lydian Pentatonic scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 5 notes before building speed. 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
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – II – IV – I (Lydian II)Pop / Rock — Euphoric
The A Lydian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A, C#, D#, E, G#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Mandolin 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
- Browse chord progressions
- A Lydian Pentatonic on Guitar
- A Lydian Pentatonic on Ukulele
- A Lydian Pentatonic on Bass
- A Lydian Pentatonic on Piano