A Lydian mode on guitar

The Lydian mode is a major scale with a raised fourth. Its dreamy, floating color is loved in film music and by guitarists like Joe Satriani.

On the whole neck

EADGBEEF♯G♯ABC♯D♯EABC♯D♯EF♯G♯AD♯EF♯G♯ABC♯G♯ABC♯D♯EF♯BC♯D♯EF♯G♯ABEF♯G♯ABC♯D♯E0123456789101112

Position from fret 4

EADGBEG♯ABC♯D♯EF♯G♯ABC♯D♯D♯EF♯G♯AB45678

Root notes are filled. The position groups the notes of the scale in one area of the neck, starting from the root on the 6th string.

Notes of the scale

DegreeNoteInterval
1Aroot
2Bmajor second
3C♯ (C sharp)major third
4D♯ (D sharp)augmented fourth
5Eperfect fifth
6F♯ (F sharp)major sixth
7G♯ (G sharp)major seventh

Steps between notes: W – W – W – H – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step)

This mode uses the same notes as the E major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. AI
  2. BII
  3. C♯miii
  4. D♯dimiv°
  5. EV
  6. F♯mvi
  7. G♯mvii

Other A scales

The same scale in other keys