stringery

B lydian

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

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position5 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. BRW
  2. C♯2W
  3. D♯3W
  4. E♯♯4H
  5. F♯5W
  6. G♯6W
  7. A♯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 neckB lydian

12345GCEA57101267R23♯4523♯4567R♯4567R237R23♯456
12345GCEA57101267R23♯4523♯4567R♯4567R237R23♯456

Position 5 is outlined, frets 11 to 11. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The B lydian key

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

  1. BI
  2. C♯II
  3. D♯miii
  4. E♯dimiv°
  5. F♯V
  6. G♯mvi
  7. A♯mvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • F♯ major

    Same notes, but home is F♯: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • E♭ minor

    Same notes, but home is E♭: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • G♯ dorian

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

  • D♭ mixolydian

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

  • B♭ phrygian

    Same notes, but home is B♭: dark, spanish, menacing.