A Lydian
A major diatonic mode with an augmented 4th; a bright sound with tension on degree 4.
Octaves
Musical context
How the mode relates to the scale, chord, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- A Lydian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Notes & degrees
1Aroot
2Bmajor 2nd
3C#major 3rd
#4D#aug 4th
5Eperfect 5th
6F#major 6th
7G#major 7th
Characteristic degrees
IVD#raised 4th degree
Construction
- Overview
- A major diatonic mode with an augmented 4th; a bright sound with tension on degree 4.
- Application in music
- Pairs with major chords carrying a #11 and with pedal points; diatonically it occurs on degree IV of major.
- Interval formula
- AWBWC#WD#HEWF#WG#
- Reference mode
- A Ionian
A Ionian
IA
IIB
IIIC#
IVD
VE
VIF#
VIIG#
A Lydian
IA
IIB
IIIC#
IVD#
VE
VIF#
VIIG#
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 4 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- E majorLydian mode — degree 4 of the scale
- Parallel major
- A majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IApoint of resttonic
IIIC#defines modal qualitythird
VEsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIG#G#
IAA
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IAA
IIBB
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how A Lydian looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.