G Lydian Diminished Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Double Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
G Lydian Diminished in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The G Lydian Diminished scale is a synthetic scale that blends the ethereal brightness of Lydian with the tension of a minor third. On Guitar, it contains the notes G, A, Bb, C#, D, E, F#. It is used to create a mysterious, neo-classical atmosphere that feels both ancient and modern at the same time. Commonly used in Film Scores, Neo-Classical, Fusion. Notable players include Danny Elfman, Bela Bartok. Use over m(Maj7), mMaj7#11 chords. A specialized color for neo-classical and cinematic passages.
Notes: G, A, Bb, C#, D, E, F#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 7
Formula: W-H-WH-H-W-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
Blends Lydian's ethereal #4 with a minor 3rd — creating an atmosphere that feels both ancient and modern, mysterious yet strangely familiar.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G Lydian Diminished in Standard Tuning
- G Lydian Diminished in Drop D
- G Lydian Diminished in DADGAD
- G Lydian Diminished in Open G
- G Lydian Diminished in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Lydian Diminished in 7-string
- G Lydian Diminished in 8-string
- G Lydian Diminished in Drop C
- G Lydian Diminished in Drop B
- G Lydian Diminished in Open D
- G Lydian Diminished in Half Step Down
- G Lydian Diminished in Open E
- G Lydian Diminished in Open A
- G Lydian Diminished in Open C