The Lydian mode is the fourth mode of the major scale, built from the pattern W–W–W–H–W–W–H, or 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 semitones. F Lydian is F, G, A, B, C, D, E, and it sounds bright and dreamy because its 4th is raised, an augmented 4th above the root.
What is the Lydian mode?
The Lydian mode is the fourth mode of the major scale, built from the pattern whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half, or in semitones, 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11. F Lydian is F, G, A, B, C, D, E, the notes of the C major scale starting on F. It sounds bright and dreamy, because its 4th is raised, an augmented 4th above the root, which gives the scale a floating, weightless quality that no other mode has. The Lydian mode is the brightest mode, brighter even than the major scale itself, because the raised 4th removes the one semitone step that anchors the major scale. In the major scale the 4th is a perfect 4th, five semitones above the root, and it pulls toward the 3rd; in Lydian the 4th is an augmented 4th, six semitones above the root, and it floats, with no pull in either direction. That is why Lydian is the mode of film scores, dream sequences and floating, ethereal music: it sounds like major, but without the gravity. The F lydian scale shows the notes, and the F major scale shows the major version for comparison.
How the Lydian mode works
Compare Lydian with the major scale on the same root, and only one note differs: the 4th. F major is F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, while F Lydian is F, G, A, B, C, D, E. The 3rd is major in both, the 6th is major in both, and the 7th is major in both, and the 4th is the only note that changes, from perfect to augmented. That single raised note is what gives Lydian its character: the scale sounds major, but the augmented 4th adds a brightness and a tension that the major scale lacks, and it creates a major II chord, G major in the key of F Lydian, where the major scale gives a minor ii chord. The Lydian mode fits over a major 7th chord with a raised 11th, which is why jazz players use it constantly: the IV chord of a major key is a major 7th chord, and the Lydian mode is the scale that fits it. In a I–IV–V progression in C major, the IV chord is Fmaj7, and the F Lydian scale, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, fits it perfectly, because the raised 4th, B, is the major 7th of the chord. The Fmaj7 guitar chord is the chord Lydian belongs to, and the I–IV–V progression in C major is where it is used most.
Worked example — C Lydian. C Lydian is the fourth mode of the G major scale, so it contains the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, starting on C: C, D, E, F#, G, A, B. Compare it with C major, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, and only the 4th differs: F# in Lydian, F in major. The raised 4th gives C Lydian a major II chord, D major, where C major gives D minor, and that major II chord is the sound that marks a song as Lydian. Play C Lydian over a Cmaj7 chord and listen for the F# floating above the chord. The C lydian scale shows the notes, and the Cmaj7 guitar chord is the chord it fits.
How to practise the Lydian mode
Practise Lydian by comparing it with major on the same root, so your ear learns the single note that makes the mode what it is.
- Play the F major scale and then the F lydian scale, and listen for the 4th rising from Bb to B.
- Improvise over an Fmaj7 chord using the F Lydian scale, and notice how the raised 4th, B, sounds bright and floating against the major chord.
- Play the modes of C major in order, and stop on Lydian, listening for the bright, dreamy sound that sets it apart from Ionian and Mixolydian.
- On guitar, learn the Lydian shape in one position, then move it to a new root and name the parent major scale it comes from.
- Use the scale finder to find the Lydian mode of any major scale, and check that its 4th is augmented.
Common mistakes
- Playing major instead of Lydian — The major scale has a perfect 4th, while Lydian has an augmented 4th, and using the wrong one over a Lydian chord will clash on the 4th. Check the 4th before you play.
- Forgetting the parent major scale — Lydian is the fourth mode of a major scale, so F Lydian comes from C major, not from F major. If you build Lydian from the major scale on the same root, you will get the wrong notes.
- Using Lydian over a minor chord — Lydian is a major mode, with a major 3rd, so it clashes with a minor chord. It fits major 7th chords, not minor chords, so check the chord before you choose the mode.
Quick reference
This table lists the Lydian mode in six keys, with the parent major scale in the last column so you can see that each Lydian scale comes from the major scale a perfect 5th below it. F Lydian comes from C major, C Lydian comes from G major, and the pattern holds for every row: the parent major scale is always a perfect 5th below the Lydian root.
| Lydian mode | Notes | Parent major scale |
|---|---|---|
| F Lydian | F – G – A – B – C – D – E | C major |
| C Lydian | C – D – E – F# – G – A – B | G major |
| G Lydian | G – A – B – C# – D – E – F# | D major |
| D Lydian | D – E – F# – G# – A – B – C# | A major |
| A Lydian | A – B – C# – D# – E – F# – G# | E major |
| E Lydian | E – F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D# | B major |
Work through the table by building each Lydian scale from its parent major scale, starting the parent scale on its fourth degree, and checking your answers against the rows. When you can do that without looking, compare each Lydian scale with the major scale on the same root, and name the raised 4th in each case.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in F Lydian?
F, G, A, B, C, D, E. They are the notes of the C major scale starting on F, and the interval pattern is 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 semitones above the root.
How is Lydian different from major?
One note: the 4th. Lydian has an augmented 4th, while major has a perfect 4th. In F Lydian the 4th is B, while in F major it is Bb, and that one semitone gives Lydian its bright, floating sound.
What chord does Lydian fit over?
A major 7th chord, especially the IV chord of a major key. Lydian is the scale for the IV chord, and it fits Fmaj7 in the key of C major, Cmaj7 in the key of G major, and Gmaj7 in the key of D major.
Where is the Lydian mode used?
In film scores, dream sequences, jazz and progressive rock, wherever a bright, floating, ethereal colour is wanted. It is the mode that sounds like major, but without the gravity, and it is a favourite of composers who want to sound otherworldly.
Is Lydian major or minor?
Major, because its 3rd is major, four semitones above the root. The raised 4th makes it sound brighter than the major scale, but the major 3rd is what decides the quality, and it is major.