D 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
- D Lydian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Notes & degrees
1Droot
2Emajor 2nd
3F#major 3rd
#4G#aug 4th
5Aperfect 5th
6Bmajor 6th
7C#major 7th
Characteristic degrees
IVG#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
- DWEWF#WG#HAWBWC#
- Reference mode
- D Ionian
D Ionian
ID
IIE
IIIF#
IVG
VA
VIB
VIIC#
D Lydian
ID
IIE
IIIF#
IVG#
VA
VIB
VIIC#
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 4 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- A majorLydian mode — degree 4 of the scale
- Parallel major
- D majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IDpoint of resttonic
IIIF#defines modal qualitythird
VAsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIC#C#
IDD
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IDD
IIEE
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how D 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.