stringery

F 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. FRW
  2. G2W
  3. A3W
  4. B♯4H
  5. C5W
  6. D6W
  7. E7H

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 neckF lydian

12345GCEA57101223♯4567R2567R23♯457R23♯45673♯4567R23
12345GCEA57101223♯4567R2567R23♯457R23♯45673♯4567R23

Position 2 is outlined, frets 5 to 8. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The F lydian key

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

  1. FI
  2. GII
  3. Amiii
  4. Bdimiv°
  5. CV
  6. Dmvi
  7. Emvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • C major

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

  • A minor

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

  • D dorian

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

  • G mixolydian

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

  • E phrygian

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