Tuning-specific scale diagram

A Lydian Scale in Open A Tuning

A Lydian Scale in Open A Tuning shows the same a lydian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned E A E A C# E. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

Scale notes
A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#
Formula
1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
Semitones
0 2 4 6 7 9 11
Parent scale
E major
Tuning
E A E A C# E
Strings
6
Open pitch range
E2 to E4
24-fret range
E2 to E6

Open strings and root positions

6 of the 6 open strings belong to A Lydian Scale: string 6 E (5), string 5 A (1), string 4 E (5), string 3 A (1), string 2 C# (3), and string 1 E (5). A roots occur on open strings 5 and 3.

String 6E5
String 5A1
String 4E5
String 3A1
String 2C#3
String 1E5

First root on each string

String 6Fret 5
String 5Open
String 4Fret 5
String 3Open
String 2Fret 8
String 1Fret 5

Low-string pattern

On the lowest E string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11, with the A root at fret 5. On the highest E string, the first A is at fret 5.

OpenE5
Fret 2F#6
Fret 4G#7
Fret 5A1
Fret 7B2
Fret 9C#3
Fret 11D##4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play A Lydian Scale on the low E string at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets E on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest A root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the A root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 5, 0, 5, 0, 8, and 5, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

A Lydian Scale in Open A Tuning fretboard diagram
A Lydian Scale in Open A Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing E A E A C# E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with A Lydian Scale and open a tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings