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Piano scale

B♭ Lydian Mode

The B♭ Lydian Mode has 7 notes: B♭ – C – D – E – F – G – A.

  1. B♭
    1
  2. C
    2
  3. D
    3
  4. E
    4
  5. F
    5
  6. G
    6
  7. A
    7

Notes of the B♭ Lydian Mode

DegreeNotesIntervalsFormula
1B♭Root1
2CMajor 2nd2
3DMajor 3rd3
4EAugmented 4th♯4
5FPerfect 5th5
6GMajor 6th6
7AMajor 7th7

Step pattern

W – W – W – H – W – W – H

From the root to the octave the scale moves in this pattern: W – W – W – H – W – W – H.

W = whole step (2 semitones), H = half step (1 semitone), W+H = 3 semitones

Sound and character

Raise the 4th of major by one semitone and the scale becomes ethereal and floating — the sound of wonder, space, and John Williams film scores.

Sound: Ethereal & magical

Chords in the B♭ Lydian Mode

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree to get its chords.

DegreeTriads7th chords
IB♭B♭maj7
IICC7
iiiDmDm7
iv°EdimEm7♭5
VFFmaj7
viGmGm7
viiAmAm7

How to use it

Play it over a major 7th chord; the raised 4th floats above the harmony without clashing. Film composers use it for wonder and flight.

B♭ Lydian Mode uses the same notes as the F Major scale, starting from a different note.

Songs that use it

  • The Simpsons Theme · Danny Elfman
    Film Score
  • Flying · The Beatles
    Rock
  • Man on the Moon · R.E.M.
    Alternative

Play the B♭ Lydian Mode with different sounds in the interactive builder.

Open in the chord builder

Practising on an acoustic piano that sounds off?

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