Lydian scale · 7 notes
A Lydian scale on guitar
The A Lydian scale has 7 notes: A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯ and G♯. A major scale with a ♯4: dreamy, floating and cinematic.
Notes
- A
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E
- F♯
- G♯
Formula
1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7
Steps
W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Sound
Dreamy, bright and weightless
A Lydian on the whole fretboard
Every A Lydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, A, is shown in red so you can always find home.
A shape to learn first
You don’t need the whole neck at once. This hand position is anchored on a root note on the 6th (low E) string, which is how most guitarists find a scale in any key.
Root on the 6th (low E) string
A at fret 5. 4th position: frets 4–8.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of A Lydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from A, the A Lydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 4 sharps (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯). Compared with A major, it has D♯ (♯4) instead of D.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | root | 0 |
| 2 | B | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | C♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| ♯4 | D♯ | augmented 4th | 6 |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | F♯ | major 6th | 9 |
| 7 | G♯ | major 7th | 11 |
Chords in A Lydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to A Lydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in A Lydian.
- IAA · C♯ · EAmaj7
- IIBB · D♯ · F♯B7
- iiiC♯mC♯ · E · G♯C♯m7
- ♯iv°D♯°D♯ · F♯ · AD♯m7♭5
- VEE · G♯ · BEmaj7
- viF♯mF♯ · A · C♯F♯m7
- viiG♯mG♯ · B · D♯G♯m7
Progressions to try
- A – B I–II · the Lydian lift
- A – B – G♯m – A I–II–vii–I
- A – E – B I–V–II
How to use A Lydian
Reach for it over major 7th chords, film and game music, and progressions that move from I to a major II chord. Its sound is dreamy, bright and weightless.
Tip: Over a major chord, linger on the ♯4. It is the one note that separates Lydian from the plain major scale.
- A Lydian contains exactly the notes of E major, played from its fourth note, A. See E major.
Where to find A on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every A between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with A |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 5 |
| B (2nd) | 10 |
| G (3rd) | 2 |
| D (4th) | 7 |
| A (5th) | 0, 12 |
| Low E (6th) | 5 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as A Lydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
A Lydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the A Lydian scale?
The A Lydian scale has 7 notes: A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯ and G♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7. It contains 4 sharps (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯).
What chords are in A Lydian?
Harmonising the A Lydian scale in thirds gives A (I), B (II), C♯m (iii), D♯° (♯iv°), E (V), F♯m (vi) and G♯m (vii).
Where do you play the A Lydian scale on guitar?
The root, A, is at fret 5 on the low E string and fret 0 and 12 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 4–8, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as A Lydian?
A Lydian contains exactly the notes of E major, played from its fourth note, A.