B 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

EADGBEE♯F♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯A♯BC♯D♯E♯F♯G♯D♯E♯F♯G♯A♯BC♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯E♯F♯BC♯D♯E♯F♯G♯A♯BE♯F♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯0123456789101112

Position from fret 6

EADGBEA♯BC♯D♯E♯F♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯E♯E♯F♯G♯A♯BC♯678910

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
1Broot
2C♯ (C sharp)major second
3D♯ (D sharp)major third
4E♯ (E sharp)augmented fourth
5F♯ (F sharp)perfect fifth
6G♯ (G sharp)major sixth
7A♯ (A 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 F sharp major scale, starting from another degree.

Chords of the scale

Triads built on each degree:

  1. BI
  2. C♯II
  3. D♯miii
  4. E♯dimiv°
  5. F♯V
  6. G♯mvi
  7. A♯mvii

Other B scales

The same scale in other keys