Harmonic MajorDegree 6

Lydian Augmented ♯2

Prismatic white-gold with shards of violet. A shattered crystal catching light from every angle. dazzling and disorienting.

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Scale NotesLydian Augmented ♯2 in C
C
D♯
E
F♯
G♯
A
B
Interval Formula
1♯23♯4♯567
Primary Chord
The tonic chord built from this mode
Cmaj7♯5

Chord Tones

CEG♯B

All Diatonic Chords

Cmaj7♯5D♯dim7Em7F♯m(maj7)G♯m7♭5Amaj7Bm7
Chord Voicings
Guitar voicings for Cmaj7♯5
Cmaj7♯58Root, 7, 3, #5. Shimmering augmented major 7th.
Cmaj7♯5Root, 3, 7, root, ♯5. Full augmented maj7 from 5th string.
Cmaj7♯54Root, 3, 7, ♯5. Augmented maj7 on top strings.
Fretboard

Lydian Augmented ♯2 in C

123456789101112131415EADGBeEF♯G♯ABCD♯EF♯ABCD♯EF♯G♯ABCD♯EF♯G♯ABCD♯EG♯ABCD♯EF♯G♯ABCD♯EF♯G♯ABCEF♯G♯ABCD♯EF♯
RootCharacteristic toneScale tone
Listen
Audio. Lydian Augmented ♯2 in C
Tempo:
180 BPM

Musical Context

Diatonic Context
Chords built from the E harmonic major scale — click any chord for voicings
Where to Use Lydian Augmented ♯2
Primary Chord
Cmaj7♯5
Function
Subdominant Substitute
Key Context
The VI⁺ chord in E harmonic major

An extreme, stretched major sound with three raised degrees.

Related Chord Voicings
Extensions, substitutions, and simplifications for Cmaj7♯5

Simplified Voicings

Example Progressions
Progressions where Lydian Augmented ♯2 applies (in C)
VI⁺
VI⁺: Cmaj7♯5

Static major 7th chord with Lydian color.

Practice in Play Along →
VI⁺ → I → iii → VI⁺
VI⁺: Cmaj7♯5I: Emaj7iii: G♯m7VI⁺: Cmaj7♯5

Lydian Augmented ♯2 (from harmonic minor) has both ♯2 and ♯4 with an augmented fifth.

Practice in Play Along →
Arpeggio Connection
The arpeggio that matches the Cmaj7♯5 chord
Augmented Major 7th
Cmaj7♯5
Tones
C
R
E
3
G♯
#5
B
7
Highlighted = guide tones (define chord quality)

Sound

An extreme, stretched major sound with three raised degrees. The ♯2, ♯4, and ♯5 push the brightness to an almost surreal level. It sounds exotic and otherworldly. like Lydian Augmented put through a kaleidoscope. The half step between ♯2 and 3 adds an angular, crystalline quality.

Practical Use Cases

  • ●Over maj7♯5 chords in harmonic major contexts
  • ●Creating extremely bright, exotic major sounds
  • ●Avant-garde composition and arranging
  • ●Rare improvisational applications for advanced players

Practical Notes

The sixth mode of harmonic major. This is one of the most exotic-sounding modes in all of tonal music. with ♯2, ♯4, and ♯5, it has three raised degrees above a major foundation. The half step between ♯2 (D♯) and 3 (E) creates the same kind of tight cluster found in Lydian ♯2. It works theoretically over maj7♯5 chords, but the ♯2 makes it extremely angular. Compare it to Lydian Augmented (from melodic minor) and Ionian ♯5 (from harmonic minor) for other maj7♯5 options. this is the most 'stretched' of the three. Primarily a theoretical and compositional tool.

majoraugmentedexoticharmonic-major-familyadvancedtheoretical

Practice Drills

Ascending & Descending in One PositionBeginnerTechnique
5 min

Play the mode ascending and descending within a single five-fret box. Build muscle memory and connect the sound to the shape.

Three-Notes-Per-String PatternsIntermediateTechnique
10 min

Play the mode using three notes on every string, stretching across the neck. Great for building legato technique and hearing the scale in a linear way.

Emphasize Characteristic Tones on Strong BeatsIntermediateImprovisation
10 min

Create short melodic phrases that land the mode's characteristic tone(s) on beats 1 and 3. This trains you to bring out the sound that defines the mode.

Improvise Over a Matching ChordBeginnerImprovisation
5 min

Play the mode's parent chord as a loop (or use a backing track) and improvise over it for two minutes. This connects the mode to its harmonic context.

Create 3 Licks Using Only Strings 1–3IntermediateImprovisation
10 min

Compose three short licks (2–4 beats each) using only the top three strings. This forces creativity within a constraint and builds upper-register vocabulary.

Resolve from Tension to StabilityIntermediateEar Training
8 min

Practice approaching chord tones from a half step above or below, training your ear to hear tension resolve.

Try Lydian Augmented ♯2 in Play Along

Practice improvising over real chord changes with guided scale and target note suggestions.

Related Modes

Lydian AugmentedLydian ♯2Ionian ♯5

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