stringery

G lydian

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

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position3 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. GRW
  2. A2W
  3. B3W
  4. C♯♯4H
  5. D5W
  6. E6W
  7. F♯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 neckG lydian

12345GCEA571012R23♯4567R♯4567R2367R23♯45623♯4567R2
12345GCEA571012R23♯4567R♯4567R2367R23♯45623♯4567R2

Position 3 is outlined, frets 7 to 10. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The G lydian key

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

  1. GI
  2. AII
  3. Bmiii
  4. C♯dimiv°
  5. DV
  6. Emvi
  7. F♯mvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • D major

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

  • B minor

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

  • E dorian

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

  • A mixolydian

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

  • F♯ phrygian

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