Lydian Modal Scale

The Lydian Modal scale is a basic Major scale with a raised fourth. In an FMajor scale the fourth note is Bb - F G A Bb C D E F. In an F Lydian scale, the fourth note is raised to become a B natural - F G A B C D E F. I have found this scale very useful when playing over extended major chords example Maj9+11 or Maj13+11 chords.

Lydian Modal Scale and its related Chords

The chords made up from the F lydian scale are:

1.Major Triads=C/F

2.Ma.6=FMaj6

3.Maj7+FMaj7

4.Maj.6,7=FMaj6,7

5.Maj7b5 or #4FMaj7b5(FMaj7#11)

6.Maj9=FMaj9

7.Maj9#4=FMaj9#11

8.Maj679=FMaj6,7,9

9.Maj9+11=FMaj9+11

10.Maj13+11=FMaj13+11

7 basic patterns and Positions of the Lydian Modal Scale

refer to the pdf file for diagram.

7basic patterns of Lydian Modal Scale

These 7 patterns can be played from the 1st to the 12 position across the fret-board. After the 12 fret the patterns repeats itself.

There are left hand finger indications to help you along and if you are comfortable with your own fingerings go for it.

Beginning with Pattern 1 in the 1Position:.

The first 3 notes are the F note, on the 1st fret, then 3fret for the G note and A note on the 5th fret. All these 3 notes are played on the 6th string.

The B note is played on the 5th string 2nd fret followed by the C note on the 3rd fret and D note on the 5th fret all these are played on the 5th string.

The E note is played on the 4th string, 2nd fret, followed by the F note on the 3rd fret and G note on the 5th fret.

The A note is played on the 3rd string 2nd fret, B note on the 4th fret and C note on the the 5th fret.

The D note is played on the 2nd string 3rd fret, then E note on the 5th fret and F on the 6th fret.

The G note is played on the 1st string 3 fret, then A on the 5th fret of the same string.

Pattern 2Lydian Modal Scale:(3Pos

The first three notes are played on the 6th string. Starting on the 6th string 3rd fret G note, moves to A note 5th fret same string, then up to the B note 7th fret same string.

Next three notes are played on the 5th string. starting with the C note on the 5th string 3rd fret, followed by D note on the 5th fret and E note on the 7th fret.

Next three notes are on the 4th string, F on the 3rd fret, G on the 5th fret and A on the 7th fret.

Next three notes are played on the 3rd string, beginning with B is on the 4th fret, C on the 5th fret and D is on the 7th fret.

Next three notes are on the 2nd string, E on the 5th fret, F on the 6th fret and G on the 7th fret.

Next two notes are on the 1st string, 5th fret A note and B on the 7th fret.

Pattern 3Lydian Modal scale:(5Pos

First three notes are played on the 6th string, 5th fret for the A note, 7th fret for B note and 8th fret for C note.

Next three notes are on the 5th string, 5th fret for D note, 7th fret for E note and F on the 8th fret.

Next three notes are on the 4th string, G note on the 5th fret, A on the 7th fret an B on the 9th fret.

Next three notes on the 3rd string, C on the 5th fret, D on the 7th fret and E on the 9th fret.

On the 2nd string, the three notes are F on the 6th fret, G on the 8th fret and A on the 10th fret.

On the 1st string, 7th fret is a B note and C note on the 8th fret.

Pattern 4Lydian Modal scale:(7Pos

Pattern 4 begins on the 6th string, 7th Pos, first note B is on the 7th fret, then C on the 8th fret and D on the 10th fret.

5th string 7th pos E note, F on the 8th fret and G on the 10th pos.

4th string, A on the 7th fret, B on the 9th fret and C on the 10th fret.

3rd string, we have D on the 7th fret, E on the 9th fret and F on the 10th fret.

2nd string, 8th fret G note, 10th fret A note and 12th fret B note.

1st string, 8th fret C note and 10th fret D note.

Pattern 5Lydian Modal Scale:8Pos

Begin on the 6th string, 8th fret for C note, then 10th fret for D, then 12th fret for E note.

On the 5th string, 8th fret for F note then G note on the 10th fret then A note on the 12th fret.

4th string, 9th fret for B note, then 10th fret for C note then 12th fret for D note.

3rd string, E on the 9th fret, F on the 10th fret and G on the 12th fret.

2nd string, A on the 10th fret, then B on the 12th fret and C on the 13th fret.

1st string, 10th fret D note and E on the 12th fret.

Pattern 6Lydian Modal Scale:10Pos

Starting on the 6th string, 10th fret we have a D note followed by an E note on the 12th fret then an F note on the 13th fret.

On the 5th string, 10th fret, there is a G note, followed by an A note on the 12fret then a B note on the 14th fret.

On the 4th string, 10th fret is a C note, followed by a D note on the 12th fret, then an E note on the 14th fret.

on the 3rd string, 10th fret is an F note , then a G note on the 12th fret, then an A note on the 14th fret.

On the 2nd string, 12th fret is a B note, next is a C note on the 13th fret, then an D note on the 15th fret.

On the 1st string, 12th fret is an E note followed by an F note on the 13th fret.

Pattern 7Lydian Modal Scale:12Pos

Starting on the 6th string, 12 fret we have an E note, followed by an F note on the 13th fret, then a G note on the 15th fret.

On the 5th string we have an A note on the 12th fret, followed by a B note on the 14th fret, then a C note on the 15th fret.

on the 4th string there is a D note on the 12th fret, then an E note on the 14th fret, then an F note on the 15th fret.

On the 3rd string, 12th fret, is a G note, then an A note on the 14th fret, then a B note on the 16th fret.

On the 2nd string, 13th fret is a C note, followed by a D note on the 15th fret, then an E note on the 16th fret.

On the 1st string, 13th fret is an F note followed by a G note on the 15th fret.

We have covered the 7 patterns for the Lydian Modal Scale. Practice the patterns and transpose them to all keys. Play patterns 1 and 2and then 2 and 3, then 3 and 4 and mix the patterns together for different colors and have fun.Our next lesson is an interesting scale for Dorminant Chords called the Mixolydian Modal Scale

Mixolydian Modal Scale

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