Guitar Scale Logic
A Lydian Guitar Scale in Drop D
Lydian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
E|---------------------------------0--2--4--| B|---------------------------2--4-----------| G|------------------1--2--4-----------------| D|---------1--2--4--------------------------| A|0--2--4-----------------------------------| D|------------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 14 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The A Lydian scale uses A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯ and the formula 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7. In Drop D tuning, the open strings run E B G D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each A root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Lydian sounds bright, suspended and floating. Try it for soundtrack textures, dreamy lead work and wide interval melodies. Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.
Feature the #4 early so the mode sounds Lydian instead of plain major. In Drop D, check the sixth-string frets before reusing a Standard-tuning pattern.
- A
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E
- F♯
- G♯
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Amajor
- Amaj7major 7
- Asus2sus2
- A5power
- Bmajor
- Bsus2sus2
- Bsus4sus4
- B5power
- C♯sus2sus2
- C♯sus4sus4