STRINGSCALES

D lydian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

A string: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

D string: D, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12

G string: G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F# at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11

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

High E string: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12

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D 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:

D

I

Dmaj
E

II

Emaj
F♯

iii

F♯m
G♯

#iv°

G♯dim
A

V

Amaj
B

vi

Bm
C♯

vii

C♯m

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

Same notes, different mode

D 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.

E mixolydianF# minor · relative minorG# locrianA major · relative majorB dorianC# phrygian

lydian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Float the raised 4th (G#) over a plain D 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 (G), play #IV (G#) instead and the line turns cinematic.
  • Vamp two major chords a whole step apart (I and II in D lydian) to establish the mode without a bass player.
  • Target chord tones of a maj7#11 arpeggio: root, the 3rd (F#), the raised 4th (G#) and the 7th (C#); the #11 sits right inside the arpeggio in this mode.

How to play D lydian on guitar

Open D covers the root while open A covers the fifth, so a drone pair is available with no fingers down. Second degree lands on both E strings while open B holds the sixth, which means five open strings stay in this key. Next roots up are A string fret 5 and B string fret 3. G#dim shows up as the #iv chord, so leaning on it makes the raised fourth obvious. Position one stops at fret 14.

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