‘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.
Bb Lydian Mode Using The Parallel Approach
The Bb Major scale contains 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
Bb Lydian Mode Using The 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:
Bb Lydian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
Bb Lydian Mode CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at Bb lydian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
Bb Lydian in the 1st Position (Lowest Fret is 1)
Bb Lydian in the 5th Position (Lowest Fret is 5)
Bb Lydian in the 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)
Bb Lydian in the 9th Position (Lowest Fret is 9)
Bb Lydian in the 12th Position (Lowest Fret is 12)
Further Reading
- Bb Major 7 chord (Bb lydian works well over Bbmaj7)
- F Major scale (Bb lydian is the 4th mode of the Bb Major scale)
- Bb Major scale (Bb lydian is a Bb Major scale with a raised 4)
- Lydian mode explained
