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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

BE♯BC♯D♯F♯G♯A♯
The notes of B lydian mode by scale degree
DegreeNoteFrom the root
1BRoot
2C♯Major second
3D♯Major third
♯4E♯Augmented fourth
5F♯Perfect fifth
6G♯Major sixth
7A♯Major 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.