Lydian mode: notes, formula and its dreamy sound
The Lydian mode is a major scale with a raised 4th (1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7). Hear its bright, floating sound, see it in all 12 keys and spot the wrong note.
The Lydian mode is a major scale with a raised 4th: degrees 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7. F Lydian is F G A B C D E F, the white keys from F. The sharp 4th removes the major scale's "pull" and makes it sound bright, dreamy and floating.
Listen: C Lydian mode
C D E F♯ G A B C
What is the formula of the Lydian mode?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 7 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| Step pattern | W-W-W-H-W-W-H |
| Uses the notes of | the major scale a perfect fourth below (4th mode) |
What does the Lydian mode sound like?
Brighter than major, magical and weightless: a favourite of film composers for wonder and flight.
How to recognise it by ear
- Compare with major: only the 4th differs (B in F Lydian, B flat in F major).
- Lydian is the 4th mode of the major scale: F Lydian uses the notes of C major.
- The tonic and the ♯4 form a tritone, which gives the shimmer.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a Lydian mode with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The Lydian mode in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Same notes as | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Lydian | C D E F♯ G A B | G major | |
| G Lydian | G A B C♯ D E F♯ | D major | |
| D Lydian | D E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ | A major | |
| A Lydian | A B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ | E major | |
| E Lydian | E F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ | B major | |
| B Lydian | B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ | F♯ major | |
| F♯ Lydian | F♯ G♯ A♯ B♯ C♯ D♯ E♯ | C♯ major | |
| D♭ Lydian | D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C | A♭ major | |
| A♭ Lydian | A♭ B♭ C D E♭ F G | E♭ major | |
| E♭ Lydian | E♭ F G A B♭ C D | B♭ major | |
| B♭ Lydian | B♭ C D E F G A | F major | |
| F Lydian | F G A B C D E | C major |
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of the Lydian mode?
W-W-W-H-W-W-H, or degrees 1, 2, 3, sharp 4, 5, 6, 7 (0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 semitones).
What notes are in F Lydian?
F G A B C D E: the notes of C major, starting on F.
What is the difference between Lydian and the major scale?
Only the 4th degree, raised a half step in Lydian (C Lydian has F sharp).
What does the Lydian mode sound like?
Bright and dreamy. Film and TV composers often use it for scenes of wonder or flying.