The Lydian Scale has a bright, playful, tonally ambiguous quality that you will immediately recognize in the examples below…
Theory
Here, for example, are the notes in the C Lydian Scale identified by letter name, scale degree (number), and Solfege syllable…
- The scale structure of the Lydian Scale is always 1-2-3-#4-5-6-7-1, no matter what key you are in.
- The Solfege syllables of the Lydian Scale are always Do-Re-Mi-Fi-So-La-Ti-Do, no matter what key you are in.
- The only thing that changes when you change keys are the letter names.
Comparative Scale Study
It is musically-appropriate to think of the Lydian Scale as a variation of the =Major Scale. They share the same notes with one exception: Fi instead of Fa.
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Play and sing the Lydian Scale and Major Scale side-by-side, slowly enough to hear the distinct difference.
Notice that F# (Fi) acts as a leading tone to G (So).
The Lydian Scale in Action
[Would anyone like Frank to insert the audio?]
Theme from The Simpson’s
Miles Ahead (Miles Davis)
Solfege Ear Training
Reading, playing, and singing the Solfege syllables out loud is a very effective way to internalize the unique sound-feeling of each note in a musical scale…
C Lydian Scale: Linear, Ascending…
C Lydian Scale: Linear, Descending…
C Lydian Scale: Do-X-Do, Ascending…
C Lydian Scale: Do-X-Do, Descending…
