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 – HApplied 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