What notes are in the D Lydian scale?

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

What is the pattern of the D 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 D Lydian?

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

Scale

D Lydian scale

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

Notes: D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C♯
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 D and tap each note in order.

D
E
F♯
G♯
A
B
C♯

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