A♯ Lydian Scale

The A♯ Lydian scale is the 4th mode of the E♯ major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised 4th degree.

This page covers everything you need to know about the A♯ Lydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

A♯ Lydian Scale Notes

The A♯ Lydian scale contains the following notes:

These notes come directly from the E♯ major parent scale, starting on its 4th degree (A♯).

A♯ Lydian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A♯ Lydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.

A♯ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Lydian scale is:

Applied to A♯, this gives us:

• A♯ → B♯
• B♯ → C♯♯
• C♯♯ → D♯♯
• D♯♯ → E♯
• E♯ → F♯♯
• F♯♯ → G♯♯
• G♯♯ → A♯

Thus, A♯ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:

• Root (A♯)
• Major 2nd (B♯)
• Major 3rd (C♯♯)
• Augmented 4th (D♯♯)
• Perfect 5th (E♯)
• Major 6th (F♯♯)
• Major 7th (G♯♯)

This structure gives the Lydian mode its characteristic brightness, largely due to the distinctive augmented 4th.

Chords in the Key of A♯ Lydian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♯ Lydian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:

• A♯ major (I)
• B♯ major (II)
• C♯♯ minor (iii)
• D♯♯ diminished (iv°)
• E♯ major (V)
• F♯♯ minor (vi)
• G♯♯ minor (vii)

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy playing in A♯ Lydian, you may also like:

• A♯ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
• B♯ Mixolydian
• E♯ major (parent scale)

A♯ Lydian Scale FAQs

How is A♯ Lydian different from A♯ major?

A♯ Lydian has a raised 4th (D♯♯) while A♯ major has a perfect 4th (D♯). Aside from this difference, the two scales share the same notes.

What is the parent scale of A♯ Lydian?

E♯ major. A♯ Lydian uses the same notes as E♯ major, but starts on its 4th degree (A♯).

Summary: A♯ Lydian Scale

• Notes: A♯, B♯, C♯♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯♯
• Mode: 4th mode of E♯ major
• Formula: W, W, H, W, W, W, H