Explore scales · Guitar
D lydian scale on guitar
D lydian contains D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, and C♯. Its raised fourth creates a bright, unresolved tension over D major chords.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the D lydian scale on guitar?
D lydian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the D string at fret 0 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D lydian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
D lydian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 17 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
D lydian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the G string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
D lydian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | D, E |
Why it sounds like that
D lydian is D major with a raised fourth: G♯ replaces G. The step pattern is W, W, W, H, W, W, H. Compare with D major to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use D lydian over D major or D 5th chords for a soaring, open sound. It fits the IV chord in A major progressions and suits country rock and fusion.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 5, fret 5, giving a solid mid-neck anchor. That box covers frets 0–3 and sets up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in D lydian?
D lydian has D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, and C♯. The raised fourth is G♯. It is a major scale with a sharpened fourth degree.
Which chords fit D lydian?
D lydian fits D major and D 5th chords. It also works over the IV chord in A major. The ♯4 adds tension over the tonic.
How is D lydian different from D major?
D lydian raises the fourth degree from G to G♯. This creates a whole step between the third and fourth. The rest of the notes are identical.