stringery

E lydian

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

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position2 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. ERW
  2. F♯2W
  3. G♯3W
  4. A♯♯4H
  5. B5W
  6. C♯6W
  7. D♯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 neckE lydian

12345GCEA5710123♯4567R267R23♯45R23♯4567R♯4567R23
12345GCEA5710123♯4567R267R23♯45R23♯4567R♯4567R23

Position 2 is outlined, frets 4 to 7. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The E lydian key

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

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

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • B major

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

  • G♯ minor

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

  • C♯ dorian

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

  • F♯ mixolydian

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

  • E♭ phrygian

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