Lydian

The Lydian mode is a major scale with a raised (augmented) fourth step, which gives it an odd, mysterious quality. The notes, tones, and intervallic structure are shown below, based on G.

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G Lydian, patterns 1 – 5

The Lydian mode has five different “positional” patterns on the neck. These contain and correspond to the major pentatonic boxes (page 18). Below, the pentatonic boxes are shown in solid dots with added tones ♯4 and 7 shown in grey dots. Taken together, they form the full diatonic Lydian mode.

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Fingering: Pattern 1 is in second position. Pattern 2 is in fourth position (fifth for strings 1 and 2). Pattern 3 is in seventh position (stretch back a fret for string 3). Pattern 4 is in ninth position. Pattern 5 is in twelfth position (eleventh for strings 3 and 4).

The astute guitarist may notice that G Lydian uses the patterns of D major/B minor (as well as those of E Dorian shown on page 36), simply with displaced roots. However, it is best to learn each mode as a scale in its own right, with its “superimposed” pentatonic and proper anchor chords. This will also allow for quick and easy parallel modality changes “on the fly” during a guitar solo—using a relative pattern will not.

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Other Tonalities

Here is the C Lydian mode with its associated anchor chords. Shift into other keys as well.

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Three notes per string

You should already know the diatonic three-note-per-string patterns and sequence (pages 28 and 32), so all you really need here is the correct starting point. The shape shown on page 32 as “pattern 4” becomes pattern 1 for Lydian. Shift it to the sixth string root. In this case, to play E Lydian, we’ll start with this pattern on open E and continue from there.

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continue with page 32 patterns 7, 1, 2, and 3 as 4, 5, 6, and 7 (down eight frets, or up four)...