F# Lydian Augmented Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Double Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
F# Lydian Augmented in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The F# Lydian Augmented scale is a majestic and highly dissonant scale used over major-augmented chords. On Guitar, it contains the notes F#, G#, A#, C, D, D#, F. 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#, C, D, D#, F
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
Tuning: Double Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-D)
About Double Drop D Tuning
Double Drop D tuning (D-A-D-G-B-D) lowers both the 6th and 1st strings from E to D, creating a symmetrical frame of D notes around the standard middle four strings. This gives a distinctly resonant, jangly character that has been beloved in folk-rock and acoustic music since the late 1960s.
Neil Young used Double Drop D extensively — 'Cinnamon Girl' features its distinctive droning riff, and 'The Needle and the Damage Done' showcases its intimate fingerpicking potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Going to California'. Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' also employs this tuning. Because only two strings change (both by just one whole step), Double Drop D is one of the easiest alternate tunings to learn — most standard chord shapes on the inner four strings remain unchanged.
Notable artists: Neil Young, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Fleetwood Mac, Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Best for: Folk-rock songwriting, D-centric acoustic arrangements, droning fingerpicking patterns, and any song that benefits from rich D-string resonance on both outer strings
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.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- F# Lydian Augmented in Standard Tuning
- F# Lydian Augmented in Drop D
- F# Lydian Augmented in DADGAD
- F# Lydian Augmented in Open G
- F# Lydian Augmented in Baritone (B Standard)
- F# Lydian Augmented in 7-string
- F# Lydian Augmented in 8-string
- F# Lydian Augmented in Drop C
- F# Lydian Augmented in Drop B
- F# Lydian Augmented in Open D
- F# Lydian Augmented in Half Step Down
- F# Lydian Augmented in Open E
- F# Lydian Augmented in Open A
- F# Lydian Augmented in Open C