A♯ Lydian Scale
The A♯ Lydian scale is the fourth mode of the E♯ major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised fourth degree.
This page covers everything you need to know about the A♯ Lydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
A♯ Lydian Scale Notes
The A♯ Lydian mode contains the following notes:
A♯ – B♯ – C♯♯ – D♯♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯♯These notes come directly from the E♯ major parent scale, starting on its 4th degree (A♯).
A♯ Lydian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A♯ Lydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the augmented 4th (D♯♯), which gives this scale its signature sound.
A♯ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Lydian mode is:
Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – HalfApplied to A♯, this gives us:
- A♯ → B♯
- B♯ → C♯♯
- C♯♯ → D♯♯
- D♯♯ → E♯
- E♯ → F♯♯
- F♯♯ → G♯♯
- G♯♯ → A♯
Thus, A♯ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (A♯)
- Major 2nd (B♯)
- Major 3rd (C♯♯)
- Augmented 4th (D♯♯)
- Perfect 5th (E♯)
- Major 6th (F♯♯)
- Major 7th (G♯♯)
This structure gives the Lydian mode its characteristic brightness, due to the distinctive augmented 4th.
Chords in the Key of A♯ Lydian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♯ Lydian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:
- A♯ major (I)
- B♯ major (II)
- C♯♯ minor (iii)
- D♯♯ diminished (iv°)
- E♯ major (V)
- F♯♯ minor (vi)
- G♯♯ minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy the sound of A♯ Lydian, you may also like:
- A♯ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
- B♯ Mixolydian
- E♯ Major (parent scale)
A♯ Lydian Scale FAQs
How is A♯ Lydian different from A♯ major?
A♯ Lydian has a raised 4th (D♯♯) while A♯ major has a perfect 4th (D♯). Otherwise, the two scales are identical.
What is the parent scale of A♯ Lydian?
E♯ major. A♯ Lydian uses the same notes as E♯ major, but starts on its fourth degree (A♯).
Summary: A♯ Lydian Scale
- Notes: A♯, B♯, C♯♯, D♯♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯♯
- Mode: 4th mode of E♯ major
- Formula: W, W, H, W, W, W, H