fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON GUITAR

A Lydian

Major with a raised 4th — the bright, floating mode. Think Simpsons theme.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 title A Lydian Verovio
Tuning
FretboardTuning: DGDGBD
35791215DGDGBDD♯EF♯G♯ABC♯D♯EG♯ABC♯D♯EF♯G♯AD♯EF♯G♯ABC♯D♯EG♯ABC♯D♯EF♯G♯ABC♯D♯EF♯G♯ABC♯D♯EF♯G♯ABC♯D♯E
Related scales
Diatonic chord harmonisation
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the A Lydian scale?

The A Lydian scale uses the notes A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Lydian scale formula?

The Lydian scale follows the interval pattern W W W H W W H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on A to get the A Lydian scale.

What chords work over A Lydian?

Lydian works over maj7♯11 chords and modal-jazz maj7 vamps. The bright film-score colour.

How do I finger A Lydian on Guitar?

On guitar, scales are typically learned as position patterns — three- or four-notes-per-string shapes that move up the neck. The CAGED system positions each scale in five interconnected patterns; the three-notes-per-string approach simplifies modal scales.

When would I use the Lydian scale?

Major with a raised 4th — the bright, floating mode. Think Simpsons theme.