Lydian scale on guitar
Major mode with a raised 4th. Floating, cinematic. Formula 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7. In A, the Lydian scale is A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#.
Formula and step pattern
Steps between neighbouring notes, closing on the octave: W W W H W W H (W = whole step, H = half step, W+H = three semitones).
| Degree | Semitones from root | In A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | A |
| 2 | 2 | B |
| 3 | 4 | C# |
| #4 | 6 | D# |
| 5 | 7 | E |
| 6 | 9 | F# |
| 7 | 11 | G# |
Lydian scale notes in all 12 keys
The root fret columns show where each key starts on the 6th (low E) and 5th (A) strings in standard tuning.
| Key | Notes | Root on 6th string | Root on 5th string |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Lydian | C D E F# G A B | 8 | 3 |
| Db Lydian | Db Eb F G Ab Bb C | 9 | 4 |
| D Lydian | D E F# G# A B C# | 10 | 5 |
| Eb Lydian | Eb F G A Bb C D | 11 | 6 |
| E Lydian | E F# G# A# B C# D# | Open (and 12) | 7 |
| F Lydian | F G A B C D E | 1 | 8 |
| Gb Lydian | Gb Ab Bb C Db Eb F | 2 | 9 |
| G Lydian | G A B C# D E F# | 3 | 10 |
| Ab Lydian | Ab Bb C D Eb F G | 4 | 11 |
| A Lydian | A B C# D# E F# G# | 5 | Open (and 12) |
| Bb Lydian | Bb C D E F G A | 6 | 1 |
| B Lydian | B C# D# E# F# G# A# | 7 | 2 |
Fretboard positions: A Lydian
Root in solid cyan, scale tones outlined, from the open strings to fret 15. Slide the pattern along the neck to change key, using the root frets in the table above.
Pick another root in the scale trainer to light up the Lydian scale in any key.
Chords that fit A Lydian
Chords from the chord library built only from notes of A Lydian (A B C# D# E F# G#).
Related scales
- Major scale: Same notes, different home note: A Lydian uses the notes of E major. One note apart: Major has 4 where Lydian has #4.
- Natural minor scale: Same notes, different home note: A Lydian uses the notes of C# natural minor.
- Major pentatonic scale: Major pentatonic sits inside Lydian, which adds #4 and 7.
- Dorian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Lydian uses the notes of F# Dorian.
- Phrygian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Lydian uses the notes of G# Phrygian.
- Mixolydian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Lydian uses the notes of B Mixolydian.
- Locrian scale: Same notes, different home note: A Lydian uses the notes of D# Locrian.