A lydian scale
How to play the A lydian scale
A LydianA · B · C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯ · A
Piano samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)
A lydian scale — notes and structure
The A lydian scale is a major mode with a raised fourth — bright, floating and dreamy, a film-score favourite.
The A lydian scale consists of the notes A, B, D♭, E♭, E, G♭, A♭. Its interval structure is R–2–3–♯4–5–6–7 — the intervals from the root that give the scale its sound. This is the same scale you see in the interactive finder above, drawn on the piano keyboard with the root circled and every note labelled.
Its step pattern is whole · whole · whole · half · whole · whole · half — the shape that makes it the lydian scale in any key.
Play the 7 notes A, B, D♭, E♭, E, G♭, A♭ in order from the root A; the interactive keyboard above lights up every note of the scale.
Chords in the A lydian scale
Stack the scale’s own notes in thirds and you get these seven chords — the harmony available to you without leaving the scale.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the A lydian scale?
- The A lydian scale has the 7 notes A, B, D♭, E♭, E, G♭, A♭. It is a major mode with a raised fourth — bright, floating and dreamy, a film-score favourite.
- How many notes are in the A lydian scale?
- 7 notes: A, B, D♭, E♭, E, G♭, A♭.
- What is the lydian scale used for?
- The lydian scale is a major mode with a raised fourth — bright, floating and dreamy, a film-score favourite — hear it and see it on the keyboard above.
- What chords are in the A lydian scale?
- Stacking the scale's own notes in thirds gives A (I), B (II), C♯m (iii), D♯dim (iv°), E (V), F♯m (vi), G♯m (vii).