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Piano scale

G Lydian Mode

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

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

Notes of the G Lydian Mode

DegreeNotesIntervalsFormula
1GRoot1
2AMajor 2nd2
3BMajor 3rd3
4C♯Augmented 4th♯4
5DPerfect 5th5
6EMajor 6th6
7F♯Major 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 G Lydian Mode

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

DegreeTriads7th chords
IGGmaj7
IIAA7
iiiBmBm7
iv°C♯dimC♯m7♭5
VDDmaj7
viEmEm7
viiF♯mF♯m7

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.

G Lydian Mode uses the same notes as the D 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 G 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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