Bb 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
- Bb Lydian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Notes & degrees
1Bbroot
2Cmajor 2nd
3Dmajor 3rd
#4Eaug 4th
5Fperfect 5th
6Gmajor 6th
7Amajor 7th
Characteristic degrees
IVEraised 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
- BbWCWDWEHFWGWA
- Reference mode
- Bb Ionian
Bb Ionian
IBb
IIC
IIID
IVEb
VF
VIG
VIIA
Bb Lydian
IBb
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
- Bb majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IBbpoint of resttonic
IIIDdefines modal qualitythird
VFsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIAA
IBbBb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IBbBb
IICC
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how Bb 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.