B♭ Lydian Scale

The B♭ Lydian scale is the fourth mode of the F major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised fourth degree.

This page covers everything you need to know about the B♭ Lydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

B♭ Lydian Scale Notes

The B♭ Lydian mode contains the following notes:

B♭ – C – D – E – F – G – A

These notes come directly from the F major parent scale, starting on its 4th degree (B♭).

B♭ Lydian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the B♭ Lydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the augmented 4th (E), which gives this scale its signature sound.

B♭ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Lydian mode is:

Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half

Applied to B♭, this gives us:

B♭ → C
C → D
D → E
E → F
F → G
G → A
A → B♭

Thus, B♭ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:

Root (B♭)
Major 2nd (C)
Major 3rd (D)
Augmented 4th (E)
Perfect 5th (F)
Major 6th (G)
Major 7th (A)

This structure gives the Lydian mode its characteristic brightness, due to the distinctive augmented 4th.

Chords in the Key of B♭ Lydian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the B♭ Lydian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:

B♭ major (I)
C major (II)
D minor (iii)
E diminished (iv°)
F major (V)
G minor (vi)
A minor (vii)

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy the sound of B♭ Lydian, you may also like:

B♭ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
C Mixolydian
F Major (parent scale)

B♭ Lydian Scale FAQs

How is B♭ Lydian different from B♭ major?

B♭ Lydian has a raised 4th (E) while B♭ major has a perfect 4th (E♭). Otherwise, the two scales are identical.

What is the parent scale of B♭ Lydian?

F major. B♭ Lydian uses the same notes as F major, but starts on its fourth degree (B♭).

Summary: B♭ Lydian Scale

Notes: B♭, C, D, E, F, G, A
Mode: 4th mode of F major
Formula: W, W, H, W, W, W, H