F♯ Lydian Scale
The F♯ Lydian scale is the 4th mode of the C♯ major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised 4th degree.
This page covers everything you need to know about the F♯ Lydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
F♯ Lydian Scale Notes
The F♯ Lydian scale contains the following notes:
F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B♯ – C♯ – D♯ – E♯These notes come directly from the C♯ major parent scale, starting on its 4th degree (F♯).
F♯ Lydian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the F♯ Lydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
F♯ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Lydian scale is:
W – W – H – W – W – W – HApplied to F♯, this gives us:
- F♯ → G♯
- G♯ → A♯
- A♯ → B♯
- B♯ → C♯
- C♯ → D♯
- D♯ → E♯
- E♯ → F♯
Thus, F♯ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (F♯)
- Major 2nd (G♯)
- Major 3rd (A♯)
- Augmented 4th (B♯)
- Perfect 5th (C♯)
- Major 6th (D♯)
- Major 7th (E♯)
This structure gives the Lydian mode its characteristic brightness, largely due to the distinctive augmented 4th.
Chords in the Key of F♯ Lydian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the F♯ Lydian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- F♯ major (I)
- G♯ major (II)
- A♯ minor (iii)
- B♯ diminished (iv°)
- C♯ major (V)
- D♯ minor (vi)
- E♯ minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in F♯ Lydian, you may also like:
- F♯ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
- G♯ Mixolydian
- C♯ major (parent scale)
F♯ Lydian Scale FAQs
How is F♯ Lydian different from F♯ major?
F♯ Lydian has a raised 4th (B♯) while F♯ major has a perfect 4th (B). Aside from this difference, the two scales share the same notes.
What is the parent scale of F♯ Lydian?
C♯ major. F♯ Lydian uses the same notes as C♯ major, but starts on its 4th degree (F♯).
Summary: F♯ Lydian Scale
- Notes: F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, E♯
- Mode: 4th mode of C♯ major
- Formula: W, W, H, W, W, W, H