Guitar scale
A Lydian Guitar Scale
A Lydian is a seven-note scale built from A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, and G#. It is the 4th relative mode of E major. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Notes
- ABC#D#EF#G#
- Formula
- 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
- Semitones
- 0 2 4 6 7 9 11
- Parent scale
- E major
How to read this scale
The notes are shown as pitch classes first. Square markers represent A root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the A root notes and connect the remaining lydian tones across standard tuning.
Fretboard diagram
Open this scale in the fretboard tool
Start with A Lydian loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboardCommon chords and contexts
- Use A Lydian over Amaj7 or Amaj7#11 sounds when the raised 4 belongs in the harmony.
- It keeps a major quality while adding a brighter, floating color than plain major.