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The Lydian Mode

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In this course we will be taking an in-depth look at the fourth mode of the major scale, the Lydian mode. This is a great mode to know as it has a unique sound and can be used over a major chord when you want something less obvious than the major scale/Ionian mode.

We'll be focusing on learning the F Lydian mode in this course, which belongs to the home key of C major. We'll begin by learning to play it all over the fingerboard using the 'content over patterns' method, after which we will work through a series of bass grooves that put the mode to use. In some of the later videos in the course we will also play some grooves that use the Lydian mode from other keys. By the end of this course you should familiar with the sound of the mode, and the major seventh-sharp eleventh chord that it is often used with.

Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get hold of the PDF transcription and the audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only).

This course contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1 - INTRODUCTION TO THE LYDIAN MODE

In this video we'll be talking about the F Lydian mode and discussing where it is commonly used.

2 - PLAYING THE LYDIAN MODE

In this video we will begin playing the F Lydian mode all over the fingerboard. As usual, we will be employing the 'content over patterns' theory, letting the notes in the mode guide us rather than memorising fretboard patterns.

3 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #1

This exercise illustrates the sound of the F Lydian mode. Note that the distinguishing characteristic of the mode -the sharped fourth (in this case a B), appears in each bar. Combined with the presence of other important chord tones, the sound of the mode is very apparent.

4 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #2

In this exercise, the first two beats of each bar establish a groove, while the second two beats contain upper register fills that demonstrate the unique sound of the Lydian mode.

5 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #3

This busy line is played at a slower tempo. Note the use of descending arpeggio figures at the end of the second bar, and the descending sequence of thirds at the end of the fourth bar. Note that this exercise starts on G, the second note of the mode. The overall sound remains strongly rooted in the F Lydian mode however.

6 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #4

This is a chordal line with some tapped parts in the upper register. After sliding into the B in the first bar, keep this note ringing and fret the E that follows with your second finger. The lower F can then be fretted with the first finger. This note should be held in place whilst you then tap the upper register notes.

7 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #5

This exercise uses the G Lydian mode, from the home key of D major. Each of the first three bars begins with a chord that utilises harmonics to spell out a Gmaj7 sound. Make sure you fret the C# at the end of the third bar with the first finger - this will leave the other fingers available for the notes on the lower strings. Starting in this position will make the remaining arpeggios much easier to play.

8 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #6

This line also uses the G Lydian mode, from the home key of D major. Don’t be put off by the continuous sixteenth notes - the tempo is quite slow.

9 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #7

This is a funk groove that uses the E Lydian mode, from the home key of B major. Here, the raised fourth is used as part of the line as well as during fills. This gives a more unusual vibe to what would ordinarily be a fairly simple funk groove.

10 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #8

This exercise is a slow groove based on the A Lydian mode, from the home key of E major. Chord tones - the root (A), major third (C#), fifth (E), major seventh (G#) and sharpened eleventh (D#) are used extensively here and clearly establish the sound of the mode.

11 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #9

This exercise uses the A Lydian mode, from the home key of E major. This is a chordal fingerstyle passage and all notes should be allowed to ring together where possible.

12 - LYDIAN EXERCISE #10

This exercise uses the E Lydian mode, from the home key of B major. Be sure to allow the open E-string to ring throughout the first three bars as you play the upper register melodic figures.