D Lydian scale on piano
The D Lydian scale on piano has 7 notes: D, E, F sharp, G sharp, A, B, and C sharp (D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯). It uses 3 black keys: F♯, G♯, C♯.
- D 1
- E 2
- F♯ F sharp 3
- G♯ G sharp ♯4
- A 5
- B 6
- C♯ C sharp 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (D) 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 D 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
- D
- W
- E
- W
- F♯
- W
- G♯
- H
- A
- W
- B
- W
- C♯
- H
- D
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 | D | D7M |
| II | E | E7 |
| IIIm | F♯m | F♯m7 |
| IV° | G♯° | G♯m7(b5) |
| V | A | A7M |
| VIm | Bm | Bm7 |
| VIIm | C♯m | C♯m7 |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More D 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 D Lydian scale?
The notes of the D Lydian scale are D, E, F sharp, G sharp, A, B, and C sharp. It uses 3 black keys: F♯, G♯, C♯.
What is the formula of the D 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 D Lydian scale?
The chords of the key are D, E, F♯m, G♯°, A, Bm, C♯m. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.