STRINGSCALES

B♭ lydian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

A string: A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G, A at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

D string: D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

G string: G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

B string: C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

High E string: E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

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Bb lydian

The lydian mode is a major scale with a raised 4th, the fourth mode of the major key a fifth below. Removing the one note that pulled toward resolution leaves it floating and weightless, the classic film score and dream sequence sound, and a favorite of guitarists like Vai and Satriani. Over a major 7th chord the #4 turns a plain arpeggio line into something modern.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

B♭

I

B♭maj
C

II

Cmaj
D

iii

Dm
E

#iv°

Edim
F

V

Fmaj
G

vi

Gm
A

vii

Am

Characteristic note: E (#4), the raised fourth that gives lydian its floating sound.

Same notes, different mode

Bb lydian uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

C mixolydianD minor · relative minorE locrianF major · relative majorG dorianA phrygian

lydian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Float the raised 4th (E) over a plain Bb major chord; hold it rather than resolving it, since that suspension is the lydian sound.
  • Avoid the perfect 4th entirely: every time a major-scale habit reaches for (Eb), play #IV (E) instead and the line turns cinematic.
  • Vamp two major chords a whole step apart (I and II in Bb lydian) to establish the mode without a bass player.
  • Target chord tones of a maj7#11 arpeggio: root, the 3rd (D), the raised 4th (E) and the 7th (A); the #11 sits right inside the arpeggio in this mode.

How to play B♭ lydian on guitar

Both E strings carry the raised fourth open, so the mode's defining tone needs no finger. Open A, open D and open G fill in the major seventh, third and sixth, which means five strings ring inside the key without the root among them. Root sits on A string fret 1, and G string fret 3 repeats it. Capo fret 1 hands you A lydian fingerings, so the whole open-position vocabulary transfers. First box closes at fret 10.

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