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