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Modes

Lydian Scale

The 4th mode of the major scale. Like major but with a raised 4th — giving it a dreamy, floating, otherworldly quality.

dreamyfloatingmagicalotherworldly

Hear the Lydian Scale

How to Identify It

Sounds like major but more dreamlike — the raised 4th creates a sense of floating. Used extensively in film scores for magical or otherworldly scenes.

Famous Examples

  • The Simpsons theme — Lydian feel
  • Flying (Beatles)
  • The Day the Earth Stood Still — film score
  • Simpsons Theme (modulation to Lydian)
Test your earThe recognition trainer plays random scales — identify them with instant feedback.
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Lydian in All 12 Keys

CC#D♭DD#E♭EFF#G♭GG#A♭AA#B♭B

Often Confused With

MajorDiatonicThe brightest, most stable scale in Western music. The found…Whole ToneSymmetricA 6-note scale made entirely of whole steps. Completely symm…DorianModesThe 2nd mode of the major scale. Minor-sounding but with a r…PhrygianModesThe 3rd mode of the major scale. Starts with a half step, gi…

About the Lydian Scale

The lydian scale is a modes scale built from the interval pattern 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1 (in whole and half steps). The 4th mode of the major scale. Like major but with a raised 4th — giving it a dreamy, floating, otherworldly quality.

To recognise the lydian scale reliably by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — dreamy, floating, magical, otherworldly. Use the player above to hear it in all 12 keys, and the recognition trainer to test yourself against a mixed set of scales.