stringery

A lydian

Major with a raised 4th: film scores and dream pop. Major 7 family

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position4 of 5

571012

Square: the root. In colour: the sharp 4th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. ARW
  2. B2W
  3. C♯3W
  4. D♯♯4H
  5. E5W
  6. F♯6W
  7. G♯7H

The sharp 4th lifts the most stable-sounding note of the major scale, so the whole scale seems to hover.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckA lydian

12345GCEA5710127R23♯4563♯4567R2567R23♯45R23♯4567R
12345GCEA5710127R23♯4563♯4567R2567R23♯45R23♯4567R

Position 4 is outlined, frets 9 to 12. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The A lydian key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. AI
  2. BII
  3. C♯miii
  4. D♯dimiv°
  5. EV
  6. F♯mvi
  7. G♯mvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • E major

    Same notes, but home is E: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • C♯ minor

    Same notes, but home is C♯: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • F♯ dorian

    Same notes, but home is F♯: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • B mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is B: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • G♯ phrygian

    Same notes, but home is G♯: dark, spanish, menacing.