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  4. The Lydian Scale | Guitar Lesson with Diagrams

The Lydian Scale | Guitar Lesson with Diagrams

The Lydian mode is one of the seven diatonic modes derived from the major scale.

It is constructed on the fourth degree of the major scale.

It has the same notes as the major scale but with a raised fourth degree (#4).

Lydian Mode Formula

As shown in the table below, the interval pattern for the Lydian scale is 1 (tonic) - 2 (second) - 3 (major third) - #4 (augmented fourth) - 5 (perfect fifth) - 6 (sixth) - 7 (seventh).

The #4 / #11 (B) is what gives the Lydian mode its distinctive sound.

F Lydian mode F G A B C D E
Formula 1 2 (9) 3 #4 (#11) 5 6 (13) 7
Intervals W W W H W W H

(W = whole step ; H = half step)

The Lydian mode gets interesting when played over a major chord, for example playing a F lydian over a FM7 brings a little bit of tension because of the raised fourth / raised eleventh (#4 - #11).

Lydian Mode vs Major Scale

The only difference between the Lydian mode and the major scale (Ionian) is the 4th degree:

Major scale: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Lydian mode: 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7

That one note completely changes the color of the scale.

Comparison With Other Lydian Modes

It can be helpful to compare the Lydian scale with the five other Lydian modes taken from the harmonic minor, harmonic major and melodic minor scales.

✔️ The Lydian#2 mode is built on the sixth degree of the harmonic minor scale.

✔️ The Lydian diminished (aka Lydian b3) is built on the fourth step of the harmonic major scale.

✔️ The Lydian augmented #2 is built on the sixth degree of the harmonic major scale.

✔️ The Lydian augmented is the third mode of the melodic minor scale.

✔️ The Lydian dominant is the fourth mode of the melodic minor scale.

Lydian 1  2 (9) 3 #4 (#11) 5 6 (13) 7
Lydian #2 1  #2 (#9) 3 #4 (#11) 5 6 (13) 7
Lydian diminished 1  2 (9) b3 #4 (#11) 5 6 (13) 7
Lydian augmented #2 1  #2 (#9) 3 #4 (#11) #5 6 (13) 7
Lydian augmented 1  2 (9) 3 #4 (#11) #5 6 (13) 7
Lydian dominant 1  2 (9) 3 #4 (#11) 5 6 (13) b7
Comparison between lydian modes on guitar 1
Lydian mode 4th mode of the major scale

Lydian Scale Guitar Diagrams

One Octave Shapes

Here are four guitar shapes to play the Lydian mode:

  • The first shape has tonic on the 6th and 4th string.
  • The second shape has tonic on the 5th and 3rd string.
  • The third shape has tonic on the 4th and 2nd string.
  • The fourth shape has tonic on the 3rd and 1st string.

To understand and hear the lydian mode it is recommended to play these patterns starting with the tonic (1), the orange note in the diagrams.

Practice simple one-octave patterns first to understand the sound.

Lydian mode guitar shapes

Two Octave Shapes

These two shapes show how you can play the Lydian mode in position whithin the space of two octaves.

Expand into full fretboard shapes to connect positions and improvise freely.

Tip: Always visualize the #4 note within each shape.

Lydian Mode and Major triad Chord - Audio file

Lydian mode guitar diagrams

7 Notes Per String

Here are seven Lydian shapes starting on each degree of the scale. Once you have learned all these shapes be sure to play them in twelve keys by moving the tonic to the desired note keeping the same intervals.

Lydian mode guitar shapes

Lydian Mode Harmonization - Chords & Arpeggios

The Lydian mode harmonized in thirds gives the following chords and arpeggios. 

One effective way to practice scales is to associate them with their related chords. You can play the Lydian mode over these chords.

C Lydian C D E F# G A B
Intervals 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
Roman Numerals I II iii #iv° V vi vii
Triads Major Major Minor Diminished Major Minor Minor
Seventh Chords Maj7 Dom7 min7 min7b5 Maj7 min7 min7
Lydian mode harmonized in arpeggios

Lydian Guitar Chords

The Lydian scale can be applied to a number of chord types, the most obvious are : maj6#11, maj7#11 and maj9#11.

However, you can use the Lydian mode over over non-altered chords as maj7, maj6, maj9, simply to add tension to your lines.

Look at the diagrams below and try to associate them with the Lydian shapes previously seen.

Non altered chords for lydian scale
Lydian guitar chords

Lydian Mode and Minor Pentatonic Scale

When playing a minor pentatonic scale (1 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b7) starting from the major seventh (7) of a maj7#11 chord you emphasize the important chord tones that are the seventh (7) and the third (3) as well as the upper-structure (9, #11 and 13). 

Over an Fmaj7#11 chord, just take the seventh degree (E) and play a minor pentatonic scale (E - G - A - B - D) as shown in the first phrase below.

Fmaj7#11 F G A B C D E
Intervals 1 2 (9) 3 #4 (#11) 5 6 (13) 7
E min penta. E G A B X D X
Intervals 1 b3 4 5 X b7 X
Emin against Fmaj7#11 7 (2)9 3 #4 (#11) X 6 (13) X
Lydian mode and minor pentatonic scale

 How To Use The Lydian Mode (tips & licks)

This is where most players struggle. Here’s how to actually use it (basically):

1. Play Over Maj7#11 Chords

The Lydian mode works perfectly over major 7 chords with a sharp 11.

2. Emphasize the #4 (#11)

Target the #4 note in your phrases to bring out the Lydian sound.

3. Target Chord Tones

Focus on:

3rd

7th

#11

In the meantime here are some licks to practice :

Lydian Lick #1 - Minor Pentatonic Scale

Here is an Fmaj#11 line. You see an E minor pentatonic scale on the first two bars.

Lydian lick guitar

Lydian Lick #2 - Intervals of Sixths

This F Lydian lick contains thee intervals of sixths ; C - A ; B - G and A - F.

Playing intervals from the Lydian mode can bring interesting ideas into your major lines.

Lydian lick for guitar

Lydian Lick #3 - Minor Blues Scale

Another idea of Lydian lick is to add a chromatic passing tone, a flatted fifth, between the fourth and the fifth of the minor pentatonic scale, thus giving an E minor blues scale.

This way you will set a short chromatic line (A-Bb-B) to approach the #11 of Fmaj7.

Lydian jazz guitar line

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Last edited: 2026-04-20

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