Guitar Modes: Lydian

Another one of my favourite modes, the Lydian mode. It’s essentially the same as the major scale, but with a sharpened 4th. Some people would even argue that the Lydian mode sounds brighter, happier and more “major” than the major scale! The 4th note sounds “lifted”, because it’s a semitone higher- this can give the scale a “floating”, hopeful or “dreamy” vibe.

Here is an example solo, showing the Lydian sound:

…and here is the tab:


e -------------------------------------------------6--8--10--
B ---------------------------------------6--8--9-------------
G -----------------------------6--8--9-----------------------
D --------------------6--7--9--------------------------------
A -----------6--7--9-----------------------------------------
E --5--7--9--------------------------------------------------


You may also notice that this mode (tabbed here from an A root note), has exactly the same notes as the E major scale if playing starting on an E.

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Rob.

April 4, 2011 at 11:00 pm | Guitar Scales, How to | No comments