The Lydian Augmented Mode
In this series of articles we will be taking a look at the different sounds that you can build from any mode in the Melodic Minor scale, in particular the chords, scale, triad and arpeggio that go with each mode in the Melodic Minor scale system.
In today’s lesson, let’s take a look at the chords, scale, triad and arpeggio that are built from the 3rd mode of Melodic Minor, the Lydian Augmented Mode.
Besides learning a fingering or two for this important scale, it is good to know the other melodic and harmonic devices that are built from the Lydian Augmented Mode so that you can apply these to your practice routine, as well as build your theory chops so that you recognize when to use the Lydian Augmented Mode in your soloing and song writing.
Here is a quick look at each device from the Lydian Augmented Mode, with further details provided below to read further.
Lydian Augmented Triad and Chords
To begin, there are two main chords that are built from any Lydian Augmented Mode, the augmented Triad and the Maj7#5 chord.
The Augmented Triad is built from the Root, 3rd and #5th note of the Lydian Augmented Mode, and the Maj7#5 chord is built by using the Root, 3rd, #5th, and 7th of the same mode.
Each of these items can be played as a whole, to produce the triad/chord, or they can be plucked one note at a time to produce arpeggiated versions, both of which you saw in the tab/notation example above.
So, in the key of Eb, the augmented triad would be:
Eb G B or R 3 #5 of the Lydian Augmented Scale
And the Maj7#5 chord in Eb would be:
Eb G B D or R 3 #5 7
This knowledge will help you learn to transpose these notes around the neck and into different keys as you learn to build different triads and four-note Lydian Augmented Mode-based chords in all 12 keys.
Theory Exercise
Write out the note for each Augmented Triad and Maj7#5 chord in all 12 keys.
Post your answers below and I will correct them and give you feedback if you are having any trouble writing out the notes of these triads and chords.
Lydian Augmented Scale
The Lydian Augmented Mode is built from the following interval structure:
Whole-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Half
In this pattern, whole equals a whole step (2 frets on the guitar) and half equals a half-step (1 fret on the guitar).
So, if you apply that formula to the key of Eb, as in the example above, you get the following notes.
Eb (W) F (W) G (W) A (W) B (H) C (H) D (H) Eb
Or, you will also see this scale written in numbers as such:
1 2 3 #4 #5 6 7 1
The Lydian Mode, and the Lydian Augmented Mode, are both modes of the Major and Melodic Minor scale systems, they are also very closely related.
This means that you can think of the Lydian Augmented Mode, in theory or on the guitar, as a Lydian Mode with a #5.
So, you can take any Lydian Mode fingering that you know, raise the 5th note by 1 fret (half-step) and you have yourself a Lydian Augmented Mode fingering.
Theory Exercise
Write out the notes of the Lydian Augmented Mode, in all 12 keys.
Post your answers below and I will check them out and post feedback, as well as answer any questions you may have on this scale construction.
Learning the structures behind each mode that you are learning on the guitar can help shore up your theory knowledge, as well as make it easier for you to apply these modes to your solos and song writing as you learn to relate them to chords, triads and arpeggios.
If you have any questions or comments, post them below.
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This post has been edited by The Professor: Apr 22 2013, 12:59 PM
