What notes are in the A Lydian scale?

A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯ and G♯, and then A again an octave higher.

What is the pattern of the A Lydian scale?

W – W – W – H – W – W – H. W = whole step (two keys), H = half step (the very next key). The same pattern gives you the Lydian scale on any starting note.

Which major scale has the same notes as A Lydian?

E major. A Lydian uses its notes but treats A as home, which gives it a different sound.

Scale

A Lydian scale

The A Lydian scale has 7 notes: A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯ and G♯.

Notes: A · B · C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯
Step pattern: W – W – W – H – W – W – H

W = whole step (two keys), H = half step (the very next key).

Play it yourself

Play the scale going up: start on A and tap each note in order.

A
B
C♯
D♯
E
F♯
G♯

0 of 7 notes

Lydian is a major mode with a raised 4th. That one note gives it a floating, dreamy sound that film composers love.

Chords in A Lydian

Build a chord on each note of the scale using only notes from the scale, and you get these seven. The Roman numeral shows the step it is built on: upper case for major, lower case for minor.

I · A
II · B
iii · C♯m
iv° · D♯dim
V · E
vi · F♯m
vii · G♯m