Interactive piano keyboard showing D Lydian scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
D lydian (D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯) has three sharps in its key signature and its raised 4th (G♯) creates the shimmering, floating quality of the lydian mode. It is used in jazz over Dmaj7 and Dmaj7♯11 chords, and in film scoring for dreamy, otherworldly passages. D lydian has an optimistic, searching character.
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 D Lydian are: D, E, F#m, G#dim, A, Bm, C#m. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Lydian?
D lydian (D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯) has three sharps in its key signature and its raised 4th (G♯) creates the shimmering, floating quality of the lydian mode. It is used in jazz over Dmaj7 and Dmaj7♯11 chords, and in film scoring for dreamy, otherworldly passages. D lydian has an optimistic, searching character.
What notes are in the D Lydian?
The D Lydian contains the notes: D, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#. This is a 7-note scale starting from D.
How many chords does the D Lydian have?
The D Lydian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: D, E, F#m, G#dim, A, Bm, C#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
D is at the 2 o'clock position. Related keys: A (dominant), G (subdominant), B (relative minor), E (supertonic), C (subtonic).