Lydian

TQ-Explore Activity

Focus Three Explore World Sounds

The Lydian mode gets its name from the ancient kingdom of Lydia in Greece.

Map depicting the ancient region of Lydia, located in what is now modern-day Turkey and parts of Greece and Italy, highlighting its existence from 480 to 294 BCE with symbolic flags and a lyre icon.

It has a beautiful, dreamy, or even otherworldly sound, often used in film scores and other dramatic music. In ancient Greece, the mode was used in hymns and instrumental music, while it was adopted by the church in the Middle Ages.

The Lydian mode serves to add melodic and harmonic complexity across diverse genres, from jazz to progressive rock. Its use is also prevalent in film and video game soundtracks, where it effectively evokes sensations of awe and dynamism.

TQ Build Activity

Focus Nine Ancient Sounds

To play the F Lydian mode, simply start on the note F and play all the white notes on a piano until you reach the next F.

The F Lydian mode uses the notes: F - G - A - B - C - D - E - F

The Lydian mode is like the F major scale, but there is one special note that makes it sound unique.

First, play the scale of F major.

Then, play F Lydian. Can you hear the difference?

F major - F Lydian

The B natural (the fourth note) is the 'special' note that gives the Lydian mode its unique sound. It is a tiny change, but it makes a big difference! Compared to the F major scale, the B natural makes the Lydian mode sound brighter and more expansive. Sometimes, musicians call this note the 'sharp fourth' because it is a little higher than the usual fourth note in a major scale.

A major scale is like a "regular happy face," and the Lydian mode is like a "happy face looking up at the sky in wonder" because of that one changed note.

You can hear the Lydian mode in the Giant Steps by John Coltrane uses a progression of the C Lydian, A♭ Lydian, and E Lydian scales. In the Jurassic Park scores, and in many other film and video game soundtracks where a sense of magic or wonder is desired.

If Ionian is 'happy and straightforward,'

Mixolydian is 'heroic and adventurous,' and

Dorian is 'cool and thoughtful,' the

Lydian mode is 'dreamy and magical.'

TQ-Create Activity

Focus seven, create a piece using level scales, modes and chords

Using only the white notes, try to write a short melody (4-8 notes) that starts and ends on F, and try to make it sound 'dreamy' or 'magical.'

Remember that B natural is your special note.

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TQ Grow Activity

Focus two, complete a simple research project

Lydian Mode Questions

What are some moods the Lydian mode can create?
In F Lydian, which note is different compared to a regular F Major scale?
Name one type of music where the Lydian mode is used.
How might a piece of music in F Lydian sound (e.g., very sad, heroic, jazzy, dreamy)?

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