F Lydian Mode

Notes in the F Lydian Mode

Degree Name Note Frequency (A=440)
1 Tonic F 349.228 Hz
2 Supertonic G 391.995 Hz
3 Mediant A 440.000 Hz
♯4 Lydian 4th B 493.883 Hz
5 Dominant C 261.626 Hz
6 Submediant D 293.665 Hz
7 Leading Tone E 329.628 Hz

Interval Pattern

Formula: W-W-W-H-W-W-H
Step Interval Semitones From Note To Note
1 Whole Step (W) 2 F G
2 Whole Step (W) 2 G A
3 Whole Step (W) 2 A B
4 Half Step (H) 1 B C
5 Whole Step (W) 2 C D
6 Whole Step (W) 2 D E
7 Half Step (H) 1 E F

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

Degree Note Chord Quality
1 F F major
2 G G major
3 A A minor minor
♯4 B B diminished diminished
5 C C major
6 D D minor minor
7 E E minor minor

Key Signature

1 — The F key signature uses Bb.

F Lydian Mode in Practice

The F Lydian Mode uses the key signature of 1 flat (Bb). F major has one flat (Bb) and a warm, pastoral quality. It is one of the most natural keys for wind instruments and is frequently used in orchestral and choral music. On guitar, F positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys 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
F 349.228 Hz 347.654 Hz 348.834 Hz
G 391.995 Hz 391.111 Hz 392.438 Hz
A 440.000 Hz 440.000 Hz 436.043 Hz
B 493.883 Hz 495.000 Hz 490.548 Hz
C 261.626 Hz 260.740 Hz 261.626 Hz
D 293.665 Hz 293.332 Hz 294.329 Hz
E 329.628 Hz 330.001 Hz 327.032 Hz

Related Scales

Transposing Instruments: F Lydian Mode

F is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce F concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in F sound a major sixth lower.