B♭ Lydian Scale

The B♭ Lydian scale is the 4th mode of the F major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised 4th degree.

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

B♭ Lydian Scale Notes

The B♭ Lydian scale contains the following notes:

B♭ – C – D – E – F – G – A

These notes come directly from the F major parent scale, starting on its 4th degree (B♭).

B♭ Lydian Piano Diagram

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

B♭ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Lydian scale is:

W – W – H – W – W – W – H

Applied to B♭, this gives us:

B♭ → C
C → D
D → E
E → F
F → G
G → A
A → B♭

Thus, B♭ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:

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

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

Chords in the Key of B♭ Lydian

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

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

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy playing in B♭ Lydian, you may also like:

B♭ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
C Mixolydian
F major (parent scale)

B♭ Lydian Scale FAQs

How is B♭ Lydian different from B♭ major?

B♭ Lydian has a raised 4th (E) while B♭ major has a perfect 4th (E♭). Aside from this difference, the two scales share the same notes.

What is the parent scale of B♭ Lydian?

F major. B♭ Lydian uses the same notes as F major, but starts on its 4th degree (B♭).

Summary: B♭ Lydian Scale

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