midicnTheory 中文
Major ScaleMixolydian ModeAugmented and Diminished IntervalsScale

Lydian is the only one of the six modes that is brighter than major, and the only one that hovers: major with a raised fourth.

C major: C D E F G A B Lydian (C): C D E F♯ G A B

The raised fourth has two consequences:

1. The tonic to the fourth becomes a tritone (C–F♯, six semitones). It is the only scale whose characteristic note is that interval — no wonder it sounds unsettled (see augmented and diminished). 2. The subdominant support disappears. In major, the fourth degree is the lower prop under the tonic; raise it and the prop is gone.

Structure

ReferenceChangeResult
major scaleraise the 4thLydian
major scalestart on the 4th degreealso Lydian
Degree1234567
vs. major===raised===

The characteristic note is the fourth (a tritone above the tonic). Its only difference from Mixolydian is one thing: is the fourth raised, or untouched? Raised means Lydian; untouched with a lowered seventh means Mixolydian.

Diagram: the raised fourth

One degree moves, and the fourth above the tonic turns from perfect into augmented CDE FGA BC major CDE F♯GA BC Lydian C–F♯: augmented fourth, six semitones Another way to see it: C Lydian holds the notes of G major, played from its 4th degree

Listen: the raised fourth

Hear Lydian, then major. The only difference is the height of the fourth — one hovers, the other lands.

Common misconceptions

Listen in the library

Prelude in Lydian ModeC14:50The title marks it Lydian — hear the floating quality a raised fourth producesDetailsLydian PreludeC11:18Another prelude whose title names Lydian — a different texture for comparisonDetailsBrelydianC10:48A traditional tune whose title carries Lydian — the same mode in a folk settingDetails

All tracks from midicn-lib — inline badge is the license tier (C1 commercial / C2 non-commercial / C3 study only).

Sources

  • 利底亚调式 = 大调音阶升第 4 级；亦等于大调音阶自第 4 级起的排列，属乐理通则
  • 主音上方为增四度、因而缺乏下属方向的稳定支撑，为通行理论表述

Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.