About the E Lydian Scale
The E lydian scale is a 7-note scale. Major scale with raised 4th, dreamy quality. Its notes are E, F#, G#, A#, B, C# and D#, built from the formula 1 2 3 ♭5 5 6 7.
- Notes
- E – F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D#
- Formula
- 1 2 3 ♭5 5 6 7
- Steps
- W W W H W W H (2–2–2–1–2–2–1 semitones)
- Root
- E
E Lydian Scale degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | Root |
| 2 | F# | Major 2nd |
| 3 | G# | Major 3rd |
| ♭5 | A# | Tritone (♭5) |
| 5 | B | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | C# | Major 6th |
| 7 | D# | Major 7th |
Where to play the E Lydian Scale on bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (E A D G), lowest string first. Root notes (E) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| E1 | 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| A1 | 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 |
| D2 | 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11 |
| G2 | 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11 |
How to practice the lydian scale
- Highlight the #4 for the floating sound
- Practice over maj7#11 chords
- Work on Steve Vai-style melodies
- Try atmospheric clean tone playing
- Use for film score-style compositions
Scales with the same notes as E Lydian Scale
These scales share every note with the E lydian scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Lydian scale in other keys
Other scales in E
- E Minor Pentatonic
- E Major Pentatonic
- E Mixolydian Pentatonic
- E Natural Minor
- E Major (Ionian)
- E Blues
- E Dorian
- E Mixolydian
- E Phrygian
- E Harmonic Minor
- E Locrian
- E Diminished (Half-Whole)
- E Diminished (Whole-Half)
- E Whole Tone
- E Augmented (Hexatonic)
- E Altered (Super Locrian)
- E Phrygian Dominant
- E Lydian Dominant
- E Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- E Bebop Dominant
- E Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- E Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)