Lydian Mode on Guitar

[Mode Series Contents]

Lydian is the 4th mode of the major scale, after Phrygian (3), Dorian (2) and Ionian (1). Therefore, Lydian begins on the 4th note of the major scale.

Lydian is one of my favourite scales on guitar because, for one, over the right chord progression, there's not much work needed to make it sound magical. Did I mention I'm lazy? :)

It just has a naturally mesmorising sound. Ethereal is a good word to describe it. As a result, you hear Lydian a lot in film and TV soundtracks, because certain tones in Lydian naturally draw your attention... and that's what the TV and film companies want, right?

Well I want your attention too! So let's get to know Lydian!

First, some important theory, then we'll look at the Lydian mode on guitar.

Intervals of Lydian

1 W 2 W 3 W #4 H 5 W 6 W 7 H 1
Hear it (F Lydian) >

Don't know what the W's and H's mean? If so, take the intervals lesson here before you go on.

If you've been through the Ionian (1st mode) lesson, you'll see that the only difference between that and Lydian is the sharpened 4th (that's what the # symbol means). The 4th note has been sharpened one half step (the equivalent of 1 fret) from its original position in the major scale.

However, even though only one tone has changed, it creates a completely unique flavour which you'll hear in a minute.

So, basically, similar to Ionian, Lydian is a major mode (because of the major 3rd interval).

Let's just first listen to some interval sequences to get an idea of Lydian's sound.

Root-5th-4th-2nd-3rd-Root: Click to hear >

That simple little sequence alone invokes that unmistakable Lydian atmosphere.

Add in a bass note in the same key as the scale and it really begins to express itself...

Click to hear >

Lydian mode on guitar

Let's start out by mapping out the main "boxed" scale pattern on the guitar's fretboard for the Lydian mode. This pattern spans just 4 frets and is very economical for fingering...

Finger numbers Remember - the root (1) defines the key of the scale, so if, for example, that root note lied on the note F, it would be F Lydian, and would most often be played over an F major chord - more on playing over chords later (with free jam track!).

If you don't yet know where all the main root notes lie, try this lesson.

Later on in this mode series, we'll look at how to expand out of that box and use more of the fretboard.

For now, though, here's the suggested fingering for the above boxed pattern.

Lydian fingering

Playing Lydian over chords

We know from the Ionian lesson that a scale/mode that includes the root (1), 3rd (3) and 5th (5) creates a major triad. This means that the scale in question will be a major scale and therefore will be "compatible" with major chords and certain major key progressions.

Sounds simple, and it is really, but the position of the 7th defines which type of major chord is compatible - dominant 7th, or major 7th?

To fully understand this distinction, see the 7th chord theory lesson.

The 7th in Lydian is in the major 7th position (look at the intervals above - that's 1 semi-tone/fret down from the root). Therefore Lydian, just like Ionian, will work over major 7th chords.

So how does the #4 affect playing over major chords? Well, it doesn't require any special treatment. The beauty of the #4 in Lydian is it can be held over the major chord without sounding too harsh.

Take a listen to the #4 being held over a major chord >

...and there's that powerful, ethereal sound. Use it wisely. Resolving from the #4 to a more stable tone most often works best. For example, the #4 is commonly resolved to the 3rd...

Take a listen >

It also acts as a leading tone that naturally resolves to the tone immediately above it - the 5th, a neutral tone.

The other notes of Lydian will just sound the same as Ionian, but regularly including that #4 gives it that Lydian edge!

Lydian jam track

Ok, so we've now been fully acquainted with Lydian and its signature sound. Let's put this to practical use over a jam track designed for this mode/scale.

Lydian, like any mode, can work as an individual scale over an individual chord. But it can also work over a modal chord progression (more on this later in the series), because modes have related chord scales.

So, even though the below jam track moves between two chords, Lydian will still be the primary mode used because the chords I have chosen fit within the modal scale (which, again, don't worry about right now).

As the below track is in the key of F major, you'll be playing F Lydian over it. Below are the diagrams showing where to position the "boxed" scale pattern for that particular key (rooted at fret 13 / fret 1).

Later in the series, we'll look at how to expand out of those restrictive boxes. For now, just focus on using different phrases from within Lydian and experiment with different target notes within the scale. You'll hear what sounds good, and what sounds crap!

Download the F Lydian jam track >
(right click and "save as")

Download it. Spend time with it. Build on your good ideas, ditch the bad ideas. Enjoy it!

F Lydian - boxed scale patterns

Fret 13

You can learn how to truly master this scale and many more using the Guitar Scale Mastery Course.

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