F Lydian mode on mandolin
The F Lydian mode has seven notes: F, G, A, B, C, D and E (1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7). A major scale with a sharp 4th. Dreamy and floating rather than settled; play it over a maj7 or maj7♯11 chord, or a major chord moving to the major chord a tone above (C to D).
| Note | F | G | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | 1 (root) | 2 | 3 | ♯4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Step to the next | whole | whole | whole | half | whole | whole | half |
3 positions to learn it in
Each stretch here is a few frets you can play without moving the hand: the open position, then from the root on the lowest string. Press Play to hear each one, up and back down.
Chords that go with the F Lydian mode
The chords on each note of the scale that use only its notes. Play over any of them and every note fits; F (F) is where it sounds at home.
| On the | Chord | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| root (F) | Fhome | Fmaj7home |
| 2 (G) | Gthe lift | G7the lift |
| 3 (A) | Amhalf-light | Am7half-light |
| ♯4 (B) | Bdimthe edge | Bm7♭5the edge |
| 5 (C) | Cthe pull | Cmaj7the pull |
| 6 (D) | Dmthe shadow | Dm7the shadow |
| 7 (E) | Emcolour | Em7colour |
Scales with the same notes
It has the same notes as the C major scale, started from its fourth note, F.
Questions
What notes are in the F Lydian mode?
F, G, A, B, C, D and E. Its intervals from the root are 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7, and the steps between its notes are W W W H W W H (W a whole step, H a half step).
What chords go with the F Lydian mode?
The chords made only of its notes: F, G, Am, Bdim, C, Dm and Em, and as seventh chords Fmaj7, G7, Am7, Bm7♭5, Cmaj7, Dm7 and Em7. F is home: F is the chord it sounds most settled over.
The Lydian mode in every key
Other scales in F
F majorF minorF minor pentatonicF major pentatonicF bluesF DorianF MixolydianF PhrygianF harmonic minorF melodic minorF Phrygian dominant
Practise it on a sheet of your own in the practice sheet maker, with a metronome and a drone. Every scale: mandolin scales. This scale on guitar, bass, ukulele and banjo.