A Lydian scale on piano
The A Lydian scale on piano has 7 notes: A, B, C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp, and G sharp (A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯). It uses 4 black keys: C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯.
- A 1
- B 2
- C♯ C sharp 3
- D♯ D sharp ♯4
- E 5
- F♯ F sharp 6
- G♯ G sharp 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (A) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the A Lydian scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- A
- W
- B
- W
- C♯
- W
- D♯
- H
- E
- W
- F♯
- W
- G♯
- H
- A
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – W – W – H – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the Lydian scale
A major mode with a raised 4th. Dreamy and "floating", common in film scores.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | A | A7M |
| II | B | B7 |
| IIIm | C♯m | C♯m7 |
| IV° | D♯° | D♯m7(b5) |
| V | E | E7M |
| VIm | F♯m | F♯m7 |
| VIIm | G♯m | G♯m7 |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More A scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Lydian in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A Lydian scale?
The notes of the A Lydian scale are A, B, C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp, and G sharp. It uses 4 black keys: C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯.
What is the formula of the A Lydian scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – W – W – H – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the A Lydian scale?
The chords of the key are A, B, C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m, G♯m. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.