Lydian scale · 7 notes
F Lydian scale on guitar
The F Lydian scale has 7 notes: F, G, A, B, C, D and E. A major scale with a ♯4: dreamy, floating and cinematic.
Notes
- F
- G
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
Formula
1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7
Steps
W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Sound
Dreamy, bright and weightless
F Lydian on the whole fretboard
Every F Lydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, F, 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
F at fret 1. Open position: frets 0–4.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of F Lydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from F, the F Lydian scale is built from these intervals. It has no sharps or flats: every note is a natural. Compared with F major, it has B (♯4) instead of B♭.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | root | 0 |
| 2 | G | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | A | major 3rd | 4 |
| ♯4 | B | augmented 4th | 6 |
| 5 | C | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | D | major 6th | 9 |
| 7 | E | major 7th | 11 |
Chords in F Lydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to F Lydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in F Lydian.
- IFF · A · CFmaj7
- IIGG · B · DG7
- iiiAmA · C · EAm7
- ♯iv°B°B · D · FBm7♭5
- VCC · E · GCmaj7
- viDmD · F · ADm7
- viiEmE · G · BEm7
Progressions to try
- F – G I–II · the Lydian lift
- F – G – Em – F I–II–vii–I
- F – C – G I–V–II
How to use F 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.
- F Lydian contains exactly the notes of C major, played from its fourth note, F. See C major.
Where to find F on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every F between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with F |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 1 |
| B (2nd) | 6 |
| G (3rd) | 10 |
| D (4th) | 3 |
| A (5th) | 8 |
| Low E (6th) | 1 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as F Lydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
F Lydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the F Lydian scale?
The F Lydian scale has 7 notes: F, G, A, B, C, D and E. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7. It has no sharps or flats: every note is a natural.
What chords are in F Lydian?
Harmonising the F Lydian scale in thirds gives F (I), G (II), Am (iii), B° (♯iv°), C (V), Dm (vi) and Em (vii).
Where do you play the F Lydian scale on guitar?
The root, F, is at fret 1 on the low E string and fret 8 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 0–4, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as F Lydian?
F Lydian contains exactly the notes of C major, played from its fourth note, F.