G Lydian Mode
Notes in the G Lydian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | A | 440.000 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | B | 493.883 Hz |
| ♯4 | Lydian 4th | C♯ | 277.183 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 6 | Submediant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | F♯ | 369.994 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B | C♯ |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C♯ | D |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | F♯ |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | F♯ | G |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | G | major |
| 2 | A | A | major |
| 3 | B | B minor | minor |
| ♯4 | C♯ | C♯ diminished | diminished |
| 5 | D | D | major |
| 6 | E | E minor | minor |
| 7 | F♯ | F♯ minor | minor |
Key Signature
1 ♯ — The G key signature uses F♯.
G Lydian Mode in Practice
The G Lydian Mode uses the key signature of 1 sharp (F♯). G major has one sharp (F#) and is one of the most common keys in folk, country, and rock music. Its open, resonant quality makes it ideal for guitar-based music. On guitar, G 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. When played starting on G, the 7 notes are G, A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯. In this key the signature has 1 sharp (F♯). G is the most natural key for guitar, with the open G and D strings providing a resonant tonic and dominant pedal. Bluegrass, country, and folk music favor G because open-position chords ring clearly and fingerpicking patterns fall under the hand naturally.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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♯ | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F♯ | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: G Lydian Mode Positions
The G key offers 1 sharp (F♯) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like G are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.