lydian

Hear this out loudPauseThe Lydian mode is a musical scale that uses seven tones. It begins with three whole tones, then a semitone, followed by two whole tones and finally, ending with a semitone. Using Lydian will help you craft chord progressions and melodies with a distinct sound that is arresting, haunting and effective.

Hear this out loudPauseIn a chord chart the notation, "Lydian" indicates a major family chord with an added augmented eleventh, including maj7♯11, add9♯11, and 6♯11.

Hear this out loudPauseThe Lydian mode is a mode that's in many ways similar to major, but features a raised fourth (♯ˆ4) as its distinguishing feature. If we started on F, then its ascending scale would consist of F, G, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

Hear this out loudPauseLydian sounds good because of a simple concept: the circle of fifths. If we're in a certain major key, and we move a fifth up or down that scale, we arrive at a new key. (Also, moving the fourth down is the same as a fifth up, and a fifth down is the same as a fourth up.

Hear this out loudPauseThe Lydians were said to be the originators of gold and silver coins. During their brief hegemony over Asia Minor from the middle of the 7th to the middle of the 6th century bce, the Lydians profoundly influenced the Ionian Greeks to their west.

Hear this out loudPauseThe name Lydian is girl's name meaning "woman from Lydia". A more unique take on Lydia - both names refer to Lydia, the area of Asia Minor recognized in the Bible. Lydian has an added musical connection, thanks to the Lydian mode - a chord progression often heard in jazz.

Hear this out loudPauseThe relative keys of A Lydian are: E Major. C♯ Minor. B Mixolydian.

Hear this out loudPauseLydian, who can play as many as 14 musical instruments including the drums, tabla and the guitar, is known for his incredible piano playing skills.

Hear this out loudPauseMixolydian simply “mixes it up” by changing the note that is altered. Mixolydian sounds much darker and more brooding than Lydian. To make Lydian, we just have to raise the fourth scale degree by one half step. That means that in C Major, the fourth note “F” will become “F#”.

Hear this out loudPauseThe Lydian scale is, theoretically speaking, the 4th mode of the major (ionian) scale. It's notable for it's sharped 4th which gives a mystical, haunting quality. In fact, that augmented 4th is the only thing which differentiates it from a classic major scale (or 'ionian mode' to give it its other name).

Hear this out loudPauseBasically, an attempt to resolve the Lydian scale is difficult, as they augmented 4th creates a situation of little tension so there's nothing to resolve. This creates a dreamy, floating feeling.

Hear this out loudPauseIn Greek myth, Lydia had also adopted the double-axe symbol, that also appears in the Mycenaean civilization, the labrys. Omphale, daughter of the river Iardanos, was a ruler of Lydia, whom Heracles was required to serve for a time.