stringery

D lydian

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

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position1 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. DRW
  2. E2W
  3. F♯3W
  4. G♯♯4H
  5. A5W
  6. B6W
  7. C♯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 neckD lydian

12345GCEA571012♯4567R237R23♯45623♯4567R2567R23♯45
12345GCEA571012♯4567R237R23♯45623♯4567R2567R23♯45

Position 1 is outlined, frets 2 to 5. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The D lydian key

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

  1. DI
  2. EII
  3. F♯miii
  4. G♯dimiv°
  5. AV
  6. Bmvi
  7. C♯mvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • A major

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

  • F♯ minor

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

  • B dorian

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

  • E mixolydian

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

  • C♯ phrygian

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