E Lydian follows the interval pattern W-W-W-H-W-W-H (whole-whole-whole-half-whole-whole-half), producing the notes E-F♯-G♯-A♯-B-C♯-D♯-E. The defining characteristic that separates Lydian from the major scale is the raised fourth degree—A♯ instead of A natural. This single alteration transforms E major's bright, stable sound into the floating, ethereal character that defines Lydian. The scale contains the intervals: root (1), major second (2), major third (3), augmented fourth (♯4), perfect fifth (5), major sixth (6), and major seventh (7). With five sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, and A♯), E Lydian shares its parent scale relationship with B major—both scales use identical notes, but E Lydian establishes E as the tonal center rather than B.
Understanding the Lydian Mode's Structure and Parent Scale Relationship
As the fourth mode of B major, E Lydian shares the exact same notes (F♯-G♯-A♯-B-C♯-D♯-E) but establishes E as the tonal center instead of B. This parent-scale relationship provides multiple approaches to understanding and visualizing E Lydian—musicians can think "B major starting from E" or conceptualize it as "E major with a raised fourth." Both perspectives offer valuable insights: the modal approach emphasizes the connection to B major's note collection, while the parallel approach highlights the single-note difference from E major. This dual understanding accelerates learning and pattern recognition across instruments. The raised fourth degree (A♯) creates the characteristic augmented fourth interval from the root—a tritone that gives Lydian its distinctive floating, unresolved quality. Unlike E major, which contains the perfect fourth (A natural) that provides stable grounding, E Lydian's A♯ creates an upward pull and sense of elevation that sounds simultaneously bright and mysterious.
E Lydian in Film Scores, Jazz, and Contemporary Music
E Lydian has achieved legendary status among film composers for its ability to evoke wonder, magic, and otherworldly beauty. John Williams frequently employs Lydian harmony in his iconic scores, using the mode's raised fourth to create the sense of flight and adventure in films like "E.T." and the Superman theme. The Lydian mode's upward-reaching quality perfectly captures the feeling of soaring, floating, or experiencing something beyond normal reality. Contemporary composers like Hans Zimmer and James Horner continued this tradition, using Lydian scales to underscore pivotal moments of discovery, transformation, and transcendence in blockbuster films. Jazz musicians embrace E Lydian for its sophisticated harmonic color and its natural fit over major seventh sharp-eleven chords (Emaj7♯11). The raised fourth provides an elegant upper extension that creates modern jazz voicings without sounding dissonant or overly complex. Pianists like Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, and Chick Corea built entire improvisations around Lydian harmony, demonstrating how the mode creates harmonic movement and interest without requiring traditional functional chord progressions. In progressive rock, bands like Yes, Genesis, and Dream Theater utilize Lydian scales to create epic, expansive sections that break free from conventional major/minor tonality.
Practical Applications and Chord Progressions in E Lydian
E Lydian excels in modal progressions centered around the Emaj7 or Emaj7♯11 chord sound. The characteristic I-II progression (Emaj7-F♯maj7) appears throughout jazz and film music, creating a floating, upward-moving harmonic gesture that maintains the Lydian character. This two-chord vamp allows soloists to explore E Lydian's melodic possibilities without complex harmonic movement, establishing a hypnotic, meditative quality. The I-II-III progression (Emaj7-F♯maj7-G♯m7) extends this concept, adding harmonic variety while staying within the scale's note collection—all three chords derive naturally from E Lydian, ensuring smooth voice leading and coherent harmonic structure that emphasizes the mode's raised fourth. In contemporary worship music and ambient guitar contexts, E Lydian appears frequently due to its transcendent, uplifting character and guitar-friendly key. The open E string provides a natural drone or pedal tone, allowing guitarists to explore upper register melodies that emphasize the characteristic A♯ against the open E.
Learning E Lydian: Practice Tips and Modal Relationships
Piano students should begin by comparing E Lydian directly with E major, playing both scales consecutively while focusing on how the single note difference (A natural vs A♯) transforms the sound and character. Use fingering: right hand 1(E)-2(F♯)-3(G♯)-1(A♯)-2(B)-3(C♯)-4(D♯)-5(E); left hand 5(E)-4(F♯)-3(G♯)-2(A♯)-1(B)-3(C♯)-2(D♯)-1(E). Practice the scale hands separately initially, then together in parallel motion. Set a metronome to 60-80 BPM and play the scale while consciously listening for the raised fourth's effect—how it creates an upward, floating sensation rather than stable grounding. Record yourself improvising over an Emaj7 drone or backing track, experimenting with melodic phrases that emphasize the characteristic A♯ and the unique interval patterns it creates. Understanding E Lydian's relationship to other modes and scales accelerates learning and expands improvisational vocabulary. Compare E Lydian with A Lydian (down a perfect fifth) to understand how the circle of fifths applies to modal relationships. Explore B Lydian (up a perfect fifth) to continue through the Lydian circle.
