A Lydian Scale

Learn the A Lydian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.


A Lydian scale notes

The A Lydian scale contains the following notes:

A – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯

A Lydian scale degrees

The scale degrees of the A Lydian scale are:

1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7
Scale DegreeNote
1A
2B
3C♯
♯4D♯
5E
6F♯
7G♯

A Lydian scale intervals

The A Lydian scale uses the interval pattern W, W, W, H, W, W, H

FromToStep
ABW
BC♯W
C♯D♯W
D♯EH
EF♯W
F♯G♯W
G♯AH
Scale DegreeNoteInterval from A
1APerfect Unison
2BMajor 2nd
3C♯Major 3rd
♯4D♯Augmented 4th
5EPerfect 5th
6F♯Major 6th
7G♯Major 7th

A Lydian scale chords

Triads

DegreeChordNotes
IAA, C♯, E
IIBB, D♯, F♯
iiiC♯mC♯, E, G♯
iv°D♯dimD♯, F♯, A
VEE, G♯, B
viF♯mF♯, A, C♯
viiG♯mG♯, B, D♯

Seventh chords

DegreeChordNotes
Imaj7Amaj7A, C♯, E, G♯
II7B7B, D♯, F♯, A
iii7C♯m7C♯, E, G♯, B
ivø7D♯m7♭5D♯, F♯, A, C♯
Vmaj7Emaj7E, G♯, B, D♯
vi7F♯m7F♯, A, C♯, E
vii7G♯m7G♯, B, D♯, F♯

A Lydian scale modes

The modes of A Lydian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.

ModeStarting noteNotes
E IonianEE, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯
F♯ DorianF♯F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E
G♯ PhrygianG♯G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯
A LydianAA, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯
B MixolydianBB, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A
C♯ AeolianC♯C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B
D♯ LocrianD♯D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯

A Lydian scale FAQs

What is the parent major scale of A Lydian?

A Lydian is the 4th mode of the E major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Lydian starts on the 4th degree (A) instead of the root (E).

How is A Lydian different from A major?

The only difference is the 4th degree. A Lydian has an augmented 4th (D♯), while A major has a perfect 4th (D). That raised 4th is what gives Lydian its signature dreamy, floating quality compared to the grounded sound of major.