A Lydian Mode

Q: What is the Lydian mode?

Lydian is a musical mode — a scale viewed from a specific degree. Modes provide a distinctive colour different from plain major or minor: they sound a particular way depending on their interval formula.

Q: How do I distinguish Lydian from other modes?

Each mode has a characteristic tone — the degree that makes it recognisable. On this page you can highlight the characteristic tone using the "Char. tone" button.

Q: What genres use the Lydian mode?

Different modes are associated with different genres and moods. See the description and theory block on this page.

Q: How do I learn modes on guitar?

Start by learning major scale patterns, then understand how each mode starts from a different degree. Focus on the characteristic tone of each mode and how it sounds in the context of chords.

Major with a raised fourth. The raised fourth gives a bright, open character.

How to play the mode

Notes

Direction

Музыкальный контекст

АккордA MajorТрезвучие

АрпеджиоA Major arpeggioТрезвучие

ГаммаA Major Scale7 нот

ЛадA Lydian

ТональностьA MajorМажорная тональность

ПрогрессияPop progressionПоп-прогрессия

Показывает, как текущий элемент связан с ладом, тональностью и используется в музыке.

Theory

General info

Name: A Lydian mode
Type: Major
Note count: 7
Description: Major with a raised fourth. The raised fourth gives a bright, open character.

Notes & degrees

Degrees, notes & intervals: 1Aroot
2Bmajor 2nd
3C#major 3rd
4D#tritone
5Eperfect 5th
6F#major 6th
7G#major 7th

Characteristic degree: D# — raised 4th degree(tritone)
Significance: These degrees shape the color of Lydian and distinguish it from natural major.

How it sounds

Character: dreamy and floating character
raised 4th creates a weightless effect
often associated with magic and fantasy in film
Characteristic interval: Tritone (Augmented 4th)TT · 6 st
Description: The raised 4th degree (6 semitones) gives the mode a floating, dreamy quality.
Where recognized: IV degree of major
Prog rock, jazz, film music
Pedal tone, static chords

🎹 A Lydian mode on piano →

How this mode works

Parent scale: Ionian (major)
Position in system: 4th mode of the Ionian (major) scale
Sibling modes: A DorianMinor mode with a raised sixth A PhrygianMinor mode with a flat second A MixolydianMajor with a flat seventh A LocrianMode with a flat fifth

Base scale for comparison: natural major (Ionian)
Changed degrees: 4D#raised 4th degree
Short formula: Lydian is natural major with a raised 4th.

Chords by degreeA Lydian

IAmajA C# ETonic IIBmajB D# F# iiiC#mminC# E G# iv°D#dimdimD# F# A VEmajE G# BDominant viF#mminF# A C# viiG#mminG# B D#

Harmonic context

Best on static major chords and pedal tones. Shines on IVmaj7 function.

Tendencies & resolutions

Pillar degrees: 1A(Ля)root
3C#(До-диез)major 3rd
5E(Ми)perfect 5th
Characteristic degrees: 4D#(Ре-диез)raised 4th degree
Tendencies & resolutions: 7G#G#
1AA
leading tone resolves to the tonic (half step up)
2BB
1AA
2nd degree tends down to the tonic
6F#F#
5EE
6th degree tends down to the 5th
4D#D#
5EE
the tritone creates maximum tension and seeks resolution

Connections & usage

Parent scale

A Ionian (major)Classic major mode

Sibling modes

A DorianMinor mode with a raised sixth A PhrygianMinor mode with a flat second A MixolydianMajor with a flat seventh A LocrianMode with a flat fifth

Compatible chords

Chords whose notes all belong to this scale. Suitable for accompaniment and harmonization.

C#mC# Minor C#m7C# Minor 7 C#sus2C# Sus2 C#sus4C# Sus4 C#7sus4C# 7sus4 C#5C# Power chord C#m9C# Minor 9 C#madd9C# Minor Add9

Show more (4)

C#m11C# Minor 11 C#9sus4C# 9sus4 C#m(add11)C# Minor Add11 C#7sus2C# 7sus2

EbdimEb Diminished Ebm7b5Eb Half-dim 7

EE Major Emaj7E Major 7 Esus2E Sus2 Esus4E Sus4 E5E Power chord E6E 6th E6/9E 6/9 Emaj9E Major 9

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Eadd9E Add9 Emaj11E Major 11 Emaj13E Major 13 Eadd11E Add11 E6sus4E 6sus4

F#mF# Minor F#m7F# Minor 7 F#sus2F# Sus2 F#sus4F# Sus4 F#7sus4F# 7sus4 F#5F# Power chord F#m6F# Minor 6 F#m6/9F# Minor 6/9

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F#m9F# Minor 9 F#madd9F# Minor Add9 F#m11F# Minor 11 F#9sus4F# 9sus4 F#m13F# Minor 13 F#m(add11)F# Minor Add11 F#6sus4F# 6sus4 F#7sus2F# 7sus2

AbmAb Minor Abm7Ab Minor 7 Absus4Ab Sus4 Ab7sus4Ab 7sus4 Ab5Ab Power chord Abm(add11)Ab Minor Add11

AA Major Amaj7A Major 7 Asus2A Sus2 A5A Power chord A6A 6th A6/9A 6/9 Amaj9A Major 9 Aadd9A Add9

Show more (3)

Amaj13A Major 13 Amaj7b5A Major 7b5 Amaj7#11A Major 7#11

BB Major B7B Dominant 7 Bsus2B Sus2 Bsus4B Sus4 B7sus4B 7sus4 B5B Power chord B6B 6th B6/9B 6/9

Show more (8)

B9B 9th Badd9B Add9 B11B 11th B13B 13th B9sus4B 9sus4 Badd11B Add11 B6sus4B 6sus4 B7sus2B 7sus2

Musical application

Genres

Progressive rock, jazz, cinematic music

In melody

Dreamy, floating melodies. Raised 4th removes gravitational pull.

In improvisation

Works on static major chords. Pedal tones reveal Lydian color.

In harmonic thinking

Static Imaj7 with #4 coloring. Cinematic progressions.

Musical context

Prog rock, jazz, film scores. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, soundtracks.

Play this mode

Practice positions and characteristic tones on the interactive fretboard.

Open fretboard trainer

What to learn next

ModeMixolydianNext mode in the church mode system ModePhrygianParallel mode — same notes, different character ScaleMajor pentatonicPentatonic — simplified version to start with ProgressionLydian floatProgression that works well with this mode

Compare all

Diatonic chords (C)

C (I)Dm (ii)Em (iii)F (IV)G (V)Am (vi)B° (vii°)

Fitting progressions

Lydian float (I-II)Pop progression (I-V-vi-IV)

Other modes

Ionian (major)Dorian Phrygian Mixolydian

Recommended for you

What is the Lydian mode?

How do I distinguish Lydian from other modes?

What genres use the Lydian mode?

How do I learn modes on guitar?