E♯ Lydian Scale

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

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

E♯ Lydian Scale Notes

The E♯ Lydian mode contains the following notes:

E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯♯ – A♯♯ – B♯ – C♯♯ – D♯♯

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

E♯ Lydian Piano Diagram

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

E♯ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Lydian mode is:

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

Applied to E♯, this gives us:

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

Thus, E♯ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:

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

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

Chords in the Key of E♯ Lydian

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

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

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy the sound of E♯ Lydian, you may also like:

E♯ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
F♯♯ Mixolydian
B♯ Major (parent scale)

E♯ Lydian Scale FAQs

How is E♯ Lydian different from E♯ major?

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

What is the parent scale of E♯ Lydian?

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

Summary: E♯ Lydian Scale

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