F Lydian: A Mode Without Sharps or Flats
Here is a mode you can spell without a single sharp or flat: the F Lydian scale is F, G, A, B, C, D and E. Those are the white keys of C major, started on F, and the B natural is the raised 4th.
Place the root on the 1st fret of the low E string, or on the 8th fret of the A string. Because the notes are all natural, it is a good first Lydian key to learn before you move the shape up the neck. Scale fingering tips will help you keep it clean.
Play the F lydian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the F lydian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 1 | Root | 0 |
| G | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| A | 3 | Major 3rd | 4 |
| B | #4 | Tritone | 6 |
| C | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| D | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| E | 7 | Major 7th | 11 |
Structure
F lydian scale notes:
How the lydian scale is built:
The lydian scale is built from the degrees 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7, which gives the step pattern W-W-W-H-W-W-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is mode 4 of the Major Scale, so both scales share the same notes from a different starting point.
F Lydian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (low E)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the F lydian scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Related modes
These scales share the same notes as the lydian scale, starting from a different degree.
The lydian scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
