D Lydian ♯6 Scale
D Lydian ♯6 contains 7 notes: D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B♯, C♯. It has 4 sharps: F♯, G♯, B♯, C♯. The step pattern is W–W–W–H–W+H–H–H.
An extremely bright mode that takes Lydian and raises the 6th as well. The result is almost too bright for conventional use — luminous and unfamiliar, like staring directly at a searchlight. Used in film scoring for moments of pure, otherworldly radiance.
The formula is 1, 2, 3, #4, 5, #6, 7. The #6 adds an augmented 2nd between 5 and #6, giving it an exotic quality that distinguishes it from standard Lydian. It works over major 7th #11 chords when maximum brightness is desired.
Use your Lydian shapes and raise the 6th one fret. The extreme brightness means it works best as a brief coloristic passage. Try it on clean tones with reverb for an ethereal, floating texture over sustained major chords.