About the A Lydian scale
A Lydian is used for film scores, dream-pop and anything that should feel wondrous or weightless. Think of it as a major scale that floats and dreams, thanks to its raised fourth.
Its notes are A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, and G♯. The formula is W W W H W W H. It is the fourth mode of E Major.
Also called Yaman and Kalyan.
Four of the notes in A Lydian are black keys, C♯, D♯, F♯, and G♯.
Chords in the key of A Lydian
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
I A
A over C sharp (1st inversion)
II B
B over D sharp (1st inversion)
iii C sharp minor
C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)
iv° D sharp diminished
D sharp diminished over F sharp (1st inversion)
V E
E over G sharp (1st inversion)
vi F sharp minor
F sharp minor over A (1st inversion)
vii G sharp minor
G sharp minor over B (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A Lydian
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
I A major seven
A major seven
II B seven
B seven
iii C sharp minor seven
C sharp minor seven
iv° D sharp minor seven flat five
D sharp minor seven flat five
V E major seven
E major seven
vi F sharp minor seven
F sharp minor seven
vii G sharp minor seven
G sharp minor seven
Progressions in A Lydian
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AA | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BB | Major 2nd |
| 3 | C#C♯ | Major 3rd |
| 4 | D#D♯ | Augmented 4th |
| 5 | EE | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | F#F♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | G#G♯ | Major 7th |
| Steps | W W W H W W H |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-2-2-1-2-2-1 |
| Degrees | 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | A | B | C sharp | D sharp | E | F sharp | G sharp | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Lydian in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.