The Lydian mode on bass:
notes, formula and position

The Lydian mode has 7 notes: 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7. In A, that gives A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯ and G♯. A major scale with an augmented fourth (♯4): an open, bright, slightly “floating” sound, much used in film music and jazz.

Also called: Lydian, Lydian scale.

Formula and notes

1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7

The steps between the notes, from the root to the octave: whole step – whole step – whole step – half step – whole step – whole step – half step. In A:

Where the Lydian mode comes from

It is the 4th mode of the major scale: you play the notes of the major scale starting from its 4th degree. The Lydian mode in A therefore has the same notes as E major. What changes is the home note: the root A, the note your line keeps coming back to.

One position on the neck

The Lydian mode in A, in the 5th-fret position: one finger per fret, from the 4th to the 8th fret, on all four strings. The numbers are the degrees; the root is in gold.

The same position as bass tab (fret by fret, from the low E string to the G string):

G|-4--6--8-|
D|-4--6--7-|
A|-4--6--7-|
E|-4--5--7-|

For another key, move the whole shape: the root on the E string sets the key (3rd fret for G, 8th fret for C).

The sound of the Lydian mode

4th mode. Major with ♯4, floating and dreamy. The ♯4 replaces the fourth, the note that clashes with the third: nothing to avoid over Δ7.

You mostly hear it in jazz, film scores and prog rock.

Which chords to play it over

In A, the Lydian mode fits Amaj7♯11 and Amaj79. On bass, keep the root on the strong beats and use the other notes to connect the chords.

Neighbouring scales

These scales differ from the Lydian mode by a single note. Comparing them lets you hear exactly what that note brings.

• The major scale: 4 instead of ♯4.
• The Lydian ♯2 mode: ♯2 instead of 2.
• The Lydian augmented mode: ♯5 instead of 5.
• The Lydian dominant scale: ♭7 instead of 7.

Practice it with UnitBasse

This diagram shows a single position, in a single key. In UnitBasse, this scale is shown across the whole neck and in all twelve keys, as note names, intervals or degrees, with one color per degree. You can listen to it, see the chords that go with it, switch keys in one click, and play it over a chord chart with BackTrack, the app’s backing band. The app has 69 scales in 12 families.

Frequently asked questions