A Lydian Mode
Notes in the A Lydian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | A | 440.000 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | C# | 277.183 Hz |
| ♯4 | Lydian 4th | D# | 311.127 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 6 | Submediant | F# | 369.994 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | G# | 415.305 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B | C# |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C# | D# |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | D# | E |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | F# |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F# | G# |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | G# | A |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | A | major |
| 2 | B | B | major |
| 3 | C# | C# minor | minor |
| ♯4 | D# | D# diminished | diminished |
| 5 | E | E | major |
| 6 | F# | F# minor | minor |
| 7 | G# | G# minor | minor |
Key Signature
3 ♯ — The A key signature uses F#, C#, G#.
A Lydian Mode in Practice
The A Lydian Mode uses the key signature of 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#). A major has three sharps (F#, C#, G#) and a bright, clear sound. It is extremely common in popular music and rock, particularly on guitar, and is easily sung by most voices. On guitar, A positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The Lydian mode features a raised 4th degree, creating a dreamy, ethereal sound. It is frequently used in film music and progressive rock for its otherworldly, floating quality.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| C# | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| D# | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| G# | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: A Lydian Mode Positions
The A key offers 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like A are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.