B 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
- B Lydian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Notes & degrees
1Broot
2C#major 2nd
3D#major 3rd
#4E#aug 4th
5F#perfect 5th
6G#major 6th
7A#major 7th
Characteristic degrees
IVE#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
- BWC#WD#WE#HF#WG#WA#
- Reference mode
- B Ionian
B Ionian
IB
IIC#
IIID#
IVE
VF#
VIG#
VIIA#
B Lydian
IB
IIC#
IIID#
IVE#
VF#
VIG#
VIIA#
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 4 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- F# majorLydian mode — degree 4 of the scale
- Parallel major
- B majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IBpoint of resttonic
IIID#defines modal qualitythird
VF#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIA#A#
IBB
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IBB
IIC#C#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how B 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.