B LYDIAN MODE

‘B Flat Lydian’ is the 4th mode of the F major scale. The notes in Bb Lydian are:

Bb – C – D – E – F – G – A

If you have read the post on understanding the lydian mode, you will know that the lydian mode contains a ‘sharp 4′ (parallel approach). You will also know that it is the 4th mode of the major scale (derivative approach). Because the ‘sharp 4′ is the only difference between the lydian mode and the major scale, it is a very simple mode to analyze. Let’s briefly look at how to construct Bb lydian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

Parallel Approach:

Bb Major has the following notes:

Bb – C – D – Eb – F – G – A

If we ‘raise’ the 4th note, we get the following:

Bb – C – D – E – F – G – A

Derivative Approach:

Bb is the 4th note of the F major scale:

F – G – A – Bb – C – D – E

If we play the F major scale and start on the 4th note we get the following:

Bb – C – D – E – F – G – A

Let’s look at the Bb lydian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:

Positions Along the Fretboard:

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

Now let’s look at Bb lydian in the 1st position (lowest fret is 1)

Now let’s look at Bb lydian in the 5th position (lowest fret is 5)

Now let’s look at Bb lydian in the 6th position (lowest fret is 6)

Now let’s look at Bb lydian in the 9th position (lowest fret is 9)

Finally, let’s look at Bb lydian in the 12th position (lowest fret is 12)

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of Bb lydian along the guitar fretboard.

For an in depth explanation of the lydian mode, check out lydian mode explained.