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B♭ lydian mode

The B♭ lydian mode is B♭ C D E F G A: seven notes, dreamy and floating. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7.

Make a beat in B♭ major

Opens the free editor with a pop beat in B♭ major to play B♭ lydian over. No account needed to start.

The notes of B♭ lydian

From B♭ up to B♭: whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half. Tap a key to hear it.

B♭ C D E F G A B♭

CDEFGAB♭B♭
The notes of B♭ lydian mode by scale degree
DegreeNoteFrom the root
1B♭Root
2CMajor second
3DMajor third
♯4EAugmented fourth
5FPerfect fifth
6GMajor sixth
7AMajor seventh

How B♭ lydian is built

The F major scale played from its fourth note, B♭: the same notes with B♭ as home. Against B♭ major, the major scale on the same note, it has E instead of E♭.

The major scale played from its fourth note: a major scale with a raised fourth. It sounds bright and weightless, which is why film scores reach for it. The lydian mode in every key.

Chords in B♭ lydian

One chord on each note of the scale, built from its own notes. The numeral says which note it starts on, against the B♭ major scale: capitals are major, small letters minor.

Play B♭ lydian over a beat

A beat on the chords of B♭ major. Play the scale over it on the keyboard above, then open it in the editor and add your melody as its own part.

Hear it as

Questions about B♭ lydian

What notes are in the B♭ lydian mode?

B♭, C, D, E, F, G and A. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7, counted from the major scale on B♭, and its steps from B♭ up to B♭ are: whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half.

What key is B♭ lydian in?

B♭ lydian uses the notes of F major, starting on its fourth note, B♭. The notes are the same; making B♭ home is what gives it its own sound.

How is B♭ lydian different from B♭ major?

E instead of E♭: one note of the B♭ major scale changes, and that note gives B♭ lydian its sound: dreamy and floating.

Build a song in B♭ lydian

Start with the beat, then add chords, a melody and your voice in the editor, part by part.