F 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
- F Lydian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Notes & degrees
1Froot
2Gmajor 2nd
3Amajor 3rd
#4Baug 4th
5Cperfect 5th
6Dmajor 6th
7Emajor 7th
Characteristic degrees
IVBraised 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
- FWGWAWBHCWDWE
- Reference mode
- F Ionian
F Ionian
IF
IIG
IIIA
IVBb
VC
VID
VIIE
F Lydian
IF
IIG
IIIA
IVB
VC
VID
VIIE
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 4 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- C majorLydian mode — degree 4 of the scale
- Parallel major
- F majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IFpoint of resttonic
IIIAdefines modal qualitythird
VCsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIEE
IFF
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IFF
IIGG
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how F 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.