Interactive piano keyboard showing A Lydian scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
A lydian (A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯) has four sharps in its key signature and its raised 4th (D♯) creates a bright, soaring quality over Amaj7♯11 chords. It is popular in jazz, fusion, and progressive rock for its optimistic, searching character. A lydian works well on guitar with convenient fretboard positions.
The raised 4th is Lydian’s only difference from major, but it transforms the sound completely — creating a dreamy, floating quality where nothing feels like it needs to resolve. The augmented 4th gives an ethereal brightness unlike any other mode.
The seven diatonic modes — parallel modes starting from the same root with different interval patterns. Each mode has a unique character derived from the major scale.
The diatonic chords in A Lydian are: A, B, C#m, D#dim, E, F#m, G#m. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Lydian?
A lydian (A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯) has four sharps in its key signature and its raised 4th (D♯) creates a bright, soaring quality over Amaj7♯11 chords. It is popular in jazz, fusion, and progressive rock for its optimistic, searching character. A lydian works well on guitar with convenient fretboard positions.
What notes are in the A Lydian?
The A Lydian contains the notes: A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#. This is a 7-note scale starting from A.
How many chords does the A Lydian have?
The A Lydian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: A, B, C#m, D#dim, E, F#m, G#m.
What is the formula for the Lydian?
The Lydian follows the interval formula: W-W-W-H-W-W-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
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Position in circle of fifths
A is at the 3 o'clock position. Related keys: E (dominant), D (subdominant), F# (relative minor), B (supertonic), G (subtonic).