Lydian scale · 7 notes
D Lydian scale on guitar
The D Lydian scale has 7 notes: D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B and C♯. A major scale with a ♯4: dreamy, floating and cinematic.
Notes
- D
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A
- B
- C♯
Formula
1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7
Steps
W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Sound
Dreamy, bright and weightless
D Lydian on the whole fretboard
Every D Lydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, D, 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
D at fret 10. 9th position: frets 9–13.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of D Lydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from D, the D Lydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 3 sharps (F♯, G♯ and C♯). Compared with D major, it has G♯ (♯4) instead of G.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | root | 0 |
| 2 | E | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | F♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| ♯4 | G♯ | augmented 4th | 6 |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | B | major 6th | 9 |
| 7 | C♯ | major 7th | 11 |
Chords in D Lydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to D Lydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in D Lydian.
- IDD · F♯ · ADmaj7
- IIEE · G♯ · BE7
- iiiF♯mF♯ · A · C♯F♯m7
- ♯iv°G♯°G♯ · B · DG♯m7♭5
- VAA · C♯ · EAmaj7
- viBmB · D · F♯Bm7
- viiC♯mC♯ · E · G♯C♯m7
Progressions to try
- D – E I–II · the Lydian lift
- D – E – C♯m – D I–II–vii–I
- D – A – E I–V–II
How to use D 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.
- D Lydian contains exactly the notes of A major, played from its fourth note, D. See A major.
Where to find D on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every D between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with D |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 10 |
| B (2nd) | 3 |
| G (3rd) | 7 |
| D (4th) | 0, 12 |
| A (5th) | 5 |
| Low E (6th) | 10 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as D Lydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
D Lydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the D Lydian scale?
The D Lydian scale has 7 notes: D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B and C♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7. It contains 3 sharps (F♯, G♯ and C♯).
What chords are in D Lydian?
Harmonising the D Lydian scale in thirds gives D (I), E (II), F♯m (iii), G♯° (♯iv°), A (V), Bm (vi) and C♯m (vii).
Where do you play the D Lydian scale on guitar?
The root, D, is at fret 10 on the low E string and fret 5 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 9–13, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as D Lydian?
D Lydian contains exactly the notes of A major, played from its fourth note, D.