The Lydian Mode | Why Film Composers and Rock Guitarists Love This Sound

In this episode I discuss in detail how to use the LYDIAN MODE or Scale for composition (Film Scoring) or in improvisation on the Guitar, Piano or any instrument. I talk about the unique qualities of the Lydian mode's #4 or #11 and why it sounds Heroic, Hopeful, Celestial, Heavenly or gives a sense of Rise the the listener. The composers I discuss are John Williams, Thomas Newman, Beethoven, Erich Korngold, Tom "Junkie XL" Holkenborg , Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and more.
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[@getsase]

Audiences cried while watching Toy Story 3: "Oh god this scene is beautiful" Rick cried while watching Toy Story 3: "Oh god it is an Eb Lydian chord"

[@cesarmarques9740]

cracked me up and its probably true ^^

[@TerryGrancho]

No, he said, help me son, i´m tone deaf and a mediocre musician... but I always am in the look out for weird sounding noises, please, what chord is that?

[@TheRealSorav]

@@TerryGrancho haha what? Why, cause he doesnt have perfect pitch? This guy could run circles around most contemporary players, especially in the rock world.

[@cesmcmyth]

@@TerryGrancho I think he actually said. "God, this tone reminded me of the hundreds of thousands of dollars I made out of my youtube channel in spite of being tone-deaf according to some loser, mediocre 400usd a month maker in shity bars. I'm so happy :)"

[@TerryGrancho]

@@cesmcmyth "I guess he added at the end, and I am glad that there is a bunch of morons who watch my content and think they learn something, because they didn´t make it into a conservatory and help me buy lots of equipment that I barely use, but I keep just to show off... oh I need to make a video about ALL the Apple stuff I´ve got and how I dislike it" lol

[@KiralearnsNorwegian]

The 2 people who disliked this video are tone-deaf. Rick Beato strikes again. So much knowledge in his head. I'm so happy he makes these videos for us.

[@urzathehappy72]

There must be bots to make sure every YT vid has a dislike. Wierd

[@Frst2nxt]

And color blind, and have false memories of the future, and dread to live to discover their past, including a moment back.

[@OsvaldoBayerista]

Maybe is people who missclick

[@cesarmarques9740]

I honestly dont understand why people give a dislike to a video like this. Its really weird...

[@stephenfiore9960]

....Just don’t mis-click when you are holding a gun....

[@TimV93]

I always liked John William's use of Lydian on "Yoda's Theme", especially the infamous scene "Yoda and the Force" where he lifts Luke's X-wing out of the swamp.

[@dylandecker_music]

One of the best themes in Star Wars, right behind Leia's theme.

[@j.r.v.p_14]

Dylan Decker every theme in Star Wars is the best Star Wars theme 😂

[@johnvcougar]

That poor XWing is ALWAYS stuck underwater somewhere.

[@mattfairfield9103]

@@j.r.v.p_14 Straight up, man xD Everything John Williams created for SW is the best and should be the standard to which all other scores are held xD

[@cavy5457]

@Gerald H Honestly with RTS, you could tell he was not enjoying composing for Star Wars anymore

[@GodsUnrulyFriends]

It may interest you to know that in North Indian Hindustani music, the equivalent of the Lydian mode is Raga Yaman. It is one of the fundamental ragas, and can produce many variations, and even be mixed with other ragas. It's supposed to be played between 6-9 pm (different ragas have specific times of the day or year to be played). In most forms of Yaman, the tonic and the 5th are not played when the melody ascends; they are played when the melody descends. So, if you're playing it with C as the tonic, ascending is B D E F# A B D, and descending is C B A G F# E D C. Yaman is used in compositions or raga improvisations to convey romantic feelings.

[@SpitfireRoad]

Beautiful description. I teach music to around 40 kids every week. Over half are from India. I would love to learn more from you about this.

[@cursedbe777]

I've always called that the "Back To The Future" Chord. I've also heard that over and over in "Nightmare on Elm Street". (Eery Piano).

[@johnniedenson]

I only wish I had a music teacher this knowledgeable and creatively relevant when I was younger. Rick you bring the science of music to life. Thank you!

[@PastorB1978]

Lydian, for me, bridges two emotions into one. The uneasiness from the dissonance of the #4 and the consonance of the rest of the chord bringing a peaceful rest. Amazing experience no matter your internal reaction!

[@zzzyzzzyzzzyxxx]

Honorable mention: The Simpsons theme - lydian dominant.

[@walterholland1251]

Exactly. Add Danny Elfman to the list.

[@BearfootBob]

Meet George Jetson. : )

[@ScottfromBaltimore]

I was going to say that.

[@ChrisPetersGuitar]

And a bit of whole tone.

[@crimfan]

Everybody's favorite mode, Lydian Dominant!

[@saeedasl8025]

This might be irrelevant, but I just want to mention how this type of presentation of music is so great and helpful for people. To me, it’s been psychologically helpful. Your nice presentation of the scales on one hand, a speech from Alan Watts on the other, combined and enlightened me about an important mental question of mine. Thanks a lot for educating us.

[@mariosarmiento5453]

which Alan Watts lecture?

[@saeedasl8025]

John McMinn Good luck ✌🏿

[@J-MLindeMusic]

Seriously, who dislikes these? Rick's a great teacher who can fit a great amount of information in a ten minute video. I'm just gonna fire up Cubase and make some music in Lydian now...

[@Имбирнаяпеченька-ю6ь]

Thru the years I can`t stop wondering why ppl in the YT comment-section keep on caring why somebody dislikes a certain video. I mean really, why do you give a damn? And as I see such comments like "who dislikes this?" always get lots of thumbs ups, I conclude that thumbs up is the reason to leave those comments. So those, who seem to care why any video gets some dislikes, are just some attention suckers.

[@DonVueltaMorales]

I think there must be those wannabe hip-hoppers out there who check out RB from time to time and who think they're composers creating music on their GarageBand thing, and when they hear someone use musical code-words they get all sorts of angry, because they have no idea what those black and white keys are and are completely ignorant of the musical language or instrumental playing (from dots on staff on a page). You know how it feels when someone speaks a different language around you, especially when it's friends or members of your family. Very disconcerting.

[@lobsterbark]

@@DonVueltaMorales This video has 16 thousand likes as of the time of me making this comment, and about 100 dislikes. That is 160 likes for every dislike. It's believable that a lot of those are by accident, or by people who don't understand music and just disliked because its long video they aren't interested in.

[@dnikhilrao]

The acoustic chords in Rush's Xanadu. Alex a master of cool voicings.

[@mikhailmihaltses2651]

Nikhil Rao i love it!

[@ralphhammond5289]

RUSH! RUSH! RUSH RUSH RUSH!

[@Rickshaw_Bohammer]

My favorite Rush song!

[@markusantonio4866]

Intro to Freewill F lydian.

[@samirkshirsagar4654]

Steve Vai - Boston Rain Melody Satch - Flying in a blue dream Dream Theater - Octavarium

[@DanielVerberne]

Great examples - Octavarium goes everywhere, but yes that central theme, so majestic and soaring, very Lydian.

[@sunlion8866]

''Curve'' off of John Petrucci's solo album Suspended Animation. Sounds just a little like Joe Satriani 😁

[@Linuxpunk81]

I've always thought the final movement of Beethoven's 5th sounded like a John Williams theme, and now I know why! Thank you for this knowledge!

[@HarrisonCountyStudio]

Nothing new under the sun. Just the rediscovery of beautiful things

[@duchampfitz]

John Williams stole from all the best.

[@LuckySinghMusic]

I always think of Flying in a Blue Dream when I hear Lydian, but also the outro to Kashmir 👌🏾 Also, the example you use in your piece of music that hints the Lydian for a moment is also apparent in Jeff Beck “Where were You?” Very heavenly piece of composition 😊

[@photoguy4212]

Rick, you’re unofficially my guitar teacher. I really appreciate that you put all of these lessons online for us to learn from. One of these days I’ll have to buy your complete lesson plan, when I can afford it. Thank you, profusely.

[@debmurray2734]

I love this channel. Between the music appreciation, music history and theory, this is the type content I stop everything I am doing to watch. I am grateful for the opportunity to get the music training I always wanted but never had the patience for when I was younger Channel comments are always so thoughtful and respectful - such a huge bonus on the internet where so many haters rule (or ruin) the day. Rick and Fans of, from the bottom of my thank you and Happy New Year. ♥️

[@RickBeato]

Thank you!

[@neli250]

Deb Murray I agree with this. This channel (and the fan base he has) feel like old friends. Musicians are the coolest people on the planet. Period.

[@DonGuillermoQuebec]

One of the most known : Alan Silvestri's main theme to Back To the Future

[@theshyguy1580]

Alan Silvestri also uses this in Avengers: Endgame

[@marcusgrun8545]

Thx, Don!

[@johninama585]

First one I thought of too!

[@tomr6955]

I was looking for this comment. It's a great theme

[@perryclayton3987]

I like James Newton Howard's "Signs" soundtrack. Hand of Fate Part 2 especially.

[@SharpElevenMusic]

You never can make to many Lydian video's Rick. Never. And Columbia's intro gets you in the right mood too, now matter how bad the movie.

[@ethanelseth7438]

E.T. is the quintessential Lydian score. Most every cue revolves around it.

[@joshuaclabeaux1470]

Yes, I'm surprised he didn't mention "Adventures on Earth" in this video when he mentioned John Williams; it's the piece in "E.T." that starts playing during the bike chase and plays in the background until the end of the film (final scene, not credits, there's another piece that plays during the credits; also used Lydian, btw).

[@markjwilcox]

All the music I’ve heard in my 51 years without realising this was a thing! A great video Rick, thank you. :)

[@joycesanders4898]

..it a thing..a real one.. and is good..(phrigian fun...to.)..🎶🎼🤘💕

[@gonzalomunozg]

Someone should give you a prize for doing this, thanks so much

[@bran7134]

This is an older vid, I know, but it's such a perfect example of why those of us who love Rick, LOVE Rick. The excitement in his eyes, crying about a scene in Toy Story 3 because of the music in it is just all the more reason this man is so worthy of all his hard earned success and why he's a true gift to us all. The Shawshank Redemption was the first movie I remember crying because of the music immediately grabbing me in the movie theater and would not let me go. So needless to say, Rick is a kindred spirit and in the top 3 of my bucket list (Thomas Newman being the very top) to meet one day if ever given the blessed opportunity. Anyhow, thank you Rick, you enrich my life and countless others more than you could possibly imagine.

[@getbackval9499]

To Kill A Mockingbird. Most poignant use of Lydian in any soundtrack I ever heard. Brings me to tears actually.

[@TheLegendsNJ]

In Indian classical music, the Lydian mode is called ‘Kalyaan’ - it’s a prevalent genre of scales (raags).

[@mmettej]

Pop song in Lydian: Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears

[@ChaitanyaRamachandran]

Emmett Wesolowski What a classic!

[@davidlericain]

I never thought about it but that's so obvious now.

[@fabulo77]

Every Little Thing She Does is Magic (The Police) verse ;)

[@bobmccarty2022]

“Maria”, from Bernstein’s West Side Story. And “Mihalis”, the first track on David Gilmour’s eponymous solo album.

[@appoocha]

Cluster One from Division Bell. C lydian. 😊

[@lydsmusic9546]

I think cool from West Side story is also lydian

[@appoocha]

Also, Terminal Frost ☺️

[@owengette8089]

West Side Story as a whole was essentially Lydian.

[@williamscolaro1159]

Just fantastic. This is what brought me on board to your A+ channel over 2 years and 800k subscribers ago or so :). Thanks for everything you do Rick.

[@RhymesWithCarbon]

I gotta throw “Back To The Future” opening theme in the Lydian bucket too.

[@lucafogliati6050]

Exactly what i thought expecially after i heard the jurassic park example

[@uzi4u182]

I had to scroll too far to find this one.

[@ianwilliams2632]

Let's not forget the marvellous middle section of Brahms' Op. 118, No. 5 Romance! Such a bright, starry-night feeling. Heavenly indeed! Great, great video!

[@aWildJersh]

I love these videos so much! They're giving me a greater understanding of WHY I love certain songs, and the reasoning for the emotions that stir up with them! Oh my gosh Rick Beato is killing it with these videos-especially harkening back to Stairway To Heaven and why it has so much of a hopeful uplift in the vamp.

[@dleasman]

Who gives a video like this a thumbs down? People who have no ear, or no understanding of music theory. This was a great video! THUMBS UP!

[@danfromqueens659]

I have no idea about music theory. That's why I come here, and I give all of you thumbs up for also teaching me.

[@dleasman]

@@danfromqueens659 Then you came to the right place. He is a great teacher!

[@NeilPoulton]

I understand and appreciate so much more about music than my music teachers ever imparted. Keep it up. Happy New Years from all of us.

[@oskarhrankowski]

The series about modes is my favourite from your channel Mr. Beato! It's nice to hear that you are remaking it. I really love the use of lydian mode in John Williams' Yoda's Theme, it makes it really beautiful.

[@LeadGuitarWorkshop]

Great video and all hail Lydian! Tom Petty's "Here Comes My Girl" is a great example of Lydian in a pop song. (A) Lydian in the verse and (E) Ionian in the chorus

[@DanielVerberne]

“Flying in a Blue Dream” by Joe Satriani is my go to reference for Lydian and The Simpson’s theme for the Lydian Dominant.

[@obaker1]

Check out "Mihalis" by D. Gilmour

[@TomGrubbe]

Yep

[@thomashjelm2928]

Time Machine is also a good example of a Lydian Satriani song

[@sunlion8866]

The Jetsons theme is in lydian

[@Justme77400]

The Police Every little thing she does is magic intro.

[@RelativelyBest]

"I wrote this little orchestral piece." ...As one does.

[@joycesanders4898]

.daily. 🎼🎶💕🤘

[@555ontario]

I use lydian all the time as that sharp 4 creates a mysterious, hanging feel and yes, I constantly catch it in film composers music Not surprised this sound sticks out to anyone with ears and a sense of wonder and expression.

[@verdoemme]

Thank you Rick, I’m 53 and never learned to play an instrument but your channel has taught me so much about music!

[@openmusic3904]

As a classically trained musician myself, I can attest to the absolute magic of the modal system. It's strange, through all the developments of the harmonic, tonal, and scalic systems in the Western classical tradition, we arrive right back where we started. As if rediscovering ancient musical secrets. The Lydian mode is one of my favourites, and, as with all the modes, they are infinitely adaptable and amenable to harmonic innovations that came after them. It is easy to see why the impressionists, such as Debussy and Ravel, explored the various modes so deeply, alongside the pentatonic and whole-tone scales, usually, all at once!

[@sparkster65]

“Maria” from west side story written by Leonard Bernstein

[@jerryglasure8708]

Precisely what came to my mind!

[@johningram2153]

Yep, came here looking for this. I was gonna to say it if nobody else did.

[@MrBitterman75]

I’m way too late to the party, glad I scrolled through comments before posting.

[@MrGrumpycyclist]

Yes, that's what I thought immediately. First 3 notes play the raised 4th.

[@freecitizen2760]

Russell believed the Lydian scale was more “important” than the major scale. The following is from Wikipedia; search “Lydian Chromatic Concept”: “Russell believed that dominant function was the driving force behind all harmonic motion. Russell focuses on the Lydian mode because it can be built with fifths. For instance, to construct a C Lydian scale one could list the first seven tones on the circle of fifths starting with C, the desired Lydian Tonic. This process would yield C, G, D, A, E, B, F♯. If these tones are voiced in the space of an octave, they form the Lydian mode (C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B). Additionally, Russell observed, when these tones are voiced in thirds they form the preferred form of a major 7 (9,#11,13) chord.”

[@gcal8263]

Adam Neely and Rick Beato already did a video on the lydian chromatic concept I believe

[@freecitizen2760]

John McMinn : I also think Lydian is the scale that works best over the G chord before the F#7 in “The Thrill Is Gone”, That’s because C#, the #4 in G, stays in the key of Bm. It’s 2 in Bm, 6 in Em, and b7 in F#7. Now you could just play Bm Pentatonic or Bm Blues scale throughout, but you could also play G Lydian over the G chord and F# Harmonic Dominant (5th mode of B Harmonic Minor) over the F#7. *** (“The Thrill Is Gone" is a slow minor-key blues song written by West Coast blues musician Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell in 1951.”) - - - And ... if you do go to the I chord then you are back into regular harmony with that Lydian chord being used as the IV to I chord cadence or the “Amen” cadence. Is that what you mean?

[@freecitizen2760]

Hyun Frayer : I will search for that video. Thanks!

[@DropAnchor1978]

Even before I knew what Lydian meant, I would describe the sound as "there's something beyond".

[@bambino100011]

Seriously??? What’s with the 81 dislikes???? These must be people who don’t understand music. Rick has done a great job explaining Lydian.

[@captainkoo]

bambino100011 they’re lydiots

[@jakejennings6534]

@@captainkoo great pun

[@nfijef]

I seriously think there's an algorithm that averages things.

[@ibrahimzubedat]

These people are out of tune from existing for real. Is there a terminology for hater in music?😂😂😂if not, let's create onehhhh

[@ibrahimzubedat]

These tritones should go back from where they came from!!!!!

[@DamonMacready]

The Lydian is a "cheap" and incredibly beautiful trick when delivered at the right spot! This mode always melts my heart. This is why E.T. was my favorite movie when I was in my early teens.

[@fran6b]

Saria's song from the soundtrack of Ocarina of Time (Zelda) is a good exemple of the use of lydian

[@Dismoeyy]

Its a great example

[@melissamilligan]

First thing I thought of!

[@gmmakesmehurl]

No wonder I love that melody.

[@Siriusb27]

Exactly. The intro of Majora's mask too. When Link and Epona are in the forest. And I think the song of healing too. One of my favourite mode the Lydian

[@ericswearingenmusic9967]

Ben Levin has a great breakdown of Lydian related to Zelda music.. you should search it!

[@RoomReflections]

"Hey Dylan, what chord is that?" "Eh that's just an Eb Lydian played by a guy who drives a gray 1998 Honda Civic"

[@J_Braz_]

Lorenzo Fiorese . yes, the subtle nuance is noticeable.

[@Laudon1228]

Lorenzo Fiorese what’s that from?

[@DBKING04020]

Justin Brazelton the front right ball joint is worn too, did you notice?

[@ibanezedi7772]

Lorenzo Fiorese that’s me!!!!

[@jimgriff5540]

Am I dreaming or did Rick try to teach his kid about pitch, and then a week later did a video and said, "Turns out...the little bastard has perfect pitch".

[@RC32Smiths01]

That intro of Lydian gave me Dream Theater vibes, and Lydian is my favorite mode, so I just could not resist

[@CavemanJesus4Life]

Overture 1928 & Strange Deja Vu

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@CavemanJesus4Life Definitely!

[@Maintenancebay]

This is why I can never get enough of Devin Townsends music. It's nearly all in C Lydian. So profoundly gratifying

[@xyshomavazax]

Kevin Gilbert’s “Long Day’s Life” and Soundgarden’s “Burden in my Hand” are among my favorite uses in rock.

[@the_shadow_realm5110]

The 80’s movie Masters of the Universe has a device called the Cosmic Key. The melody for the Cosmic Key is very Lydian. Symphony X use a similar line in their Accolade and Accolade II songs. Haken also have a similar melody in the intro to their song Snow (especially the demo version). I love this mode. Pure epic fantasy.

[@mallardtheduck406]

I love the cosmic key music score by Bill Conti, that was an overwhelmingly amazing composition!

[@lydsmusic9546]

I love you by Billie Eilish is Lydian if I'm not mistaken which uses a lot more minor chords and I find it has a very different feel rather than heavenly and hopeful it's reflective, melancholic and emotional Edit: I think it's great to hear that in pop music artists are using different modes and straying from what we are used to hearing

[@viewerfan]

12/8 vs 4/4

[@motomuso]

It's nice to hear this given such honor: when I have used it I thought I was employing a cheap trick. Thanks Rick, I am absolved.

[@joshscott7401]

Only someone with such a good ear can give us such great everyday examples. You an your family are incredible.

[@ozprimo]

Rick, this is the music University course I always hoped I could attend one day! You are a great artist and teacher! Looking forward to more in this series. Thank you.

[@adilumar9144]

The eastern classical version of a mode is called a raag. There are several differences between a raag and a mode, a raag being considerably more restrictive. But the Lydian mode is closest to what is called Raag Yaman in eastern classical Music, one of the most beautiful sounding raags. It's extremely pervasive throughout eastern classical music. It never ceases to amaze me how wildly different something, that is fundamentally the same, can sound in different musical traditions.

[@chinmayarolkar635]

Thank you for this

[@qkbarbland4332]

it's indian classical music and not eastern, I believe the closest to the Lydian Mode is south indian raga Kalyani since it does not mandate the particular phrases that Raag Yaman employs

[@nerdvananc]

It's Hindustani Classical not eastern classical

[@johngrunwell6101]

David Gilmour's "Mihalis," which I consider the precursor to "Flying in a Blue Dream." The verses in Tom Petty's "Here Comes My Girl."

[@TheRealPrimeOne]

I've really come to appreciate the Lydian mode in recent times. It really is a beautiful mode that just gives me a lifted,floating feel. I know that I'll be using it more in my hip-hop beat production. Rick,you are a great music teacher and I thank you for all of the terrific information that you put out there.I know that I'll be learning a lot from you.

[@landjwilk]

The last third of "As falls Wichita so falls Wichita falls." Lyle May's synth pads are 'oozing' with Lydian...in the most haunting, beautiful way. Thanks for the upload, Rick!

[@andrewjeffries8721]

Rick, Thank you so much for this lesson. It is a very pleasant eye-opener! No formal training for me aside from years playing in rock clubs. The last 10 years have been focused on building a chord structure (often over a 7/8 rhythm) to create a solid base for the lead instrument/voice to solo with. I do enjoy the "hopefulness" aspect of the raised 4th. Very cool. Thank again, Rick and God bless you.

[@pentatonicautopilot]

Love Satriani’s “Time Machine”

[@duncanrathband5492]

Oh yeah, good shout 🙂

[@thelucidjoe]

Anyone else musically illiterate, yet still watched this entire video and enjoyed to the end? :D

[@daviddemar8749]

Im a hobbyist-guitarist and I've been a fan of rick's videos for several years. Like the theory videos of Adam neely Rick's videos often go over my head . But i always watch to the end bc I can usually get one tiny nugget to stick in my brain. Not surprisingly I have accumulated a big batch of those nuggets in my brain. And whaddya know? Without consciously realizing it, to my absolute delight, ive discovered that I am nowhere near as illiterate as I used to be. He's a wonderful teacher and I am very envious of of those college students who were blessed to have him at the front of a classroom. Btw he happens to be a mensch too. Watch his tribute video to his late Aunt Penny. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby while you watch . Your eyes will be watering.

[@StreetHierarchy]

I'm only functionally illiterate

[@jj53368]

Yes, but I’m watching it again three years later, and absolutely delighted by how much I understand and how well I can play along now!

[@DonGuillermoQuebec]

Derek Sherinian in Planet X and solo albums use this mode a lot

[@NeilRaouf]

alien hip hop from the quantum album. what a lagendary song!

[@TheMan-vv1ej]

Just learning... Feel free to correct me..🥰 Lydian is #4 raised As he says Eb Lydian triad is (Eb G Bb with 4 raised) Eb A Bb .. Always remember the second Minor chord is affected in Lydian because it takes the #4 note in harmonising Or in simple terms In C major lydian (with F#), the 2nd minor chord turns major ie, D major - D F# A (also relative minor appears on the scale - Bm) Now to the dinauser theme The scale is Eb and it's mostly 1 4 5 chords The Lydian chord is Fmajor (2nd minor Fm turns major) So when the progression comes down - Eb Eb/C Gm F Eb - instead of an Fm we get a Fmajor So there is sustaining of the hype created by the rise from Eb to Gm...I think that's the Lydian Effect

[@TheMan-vv1ej]

Moving on to toy story the Eb Lydian chord is played He says it resolves well to D bcz - Eb A Bb to D F# A! Try it out in guitar.. The next in case of terminator Ab Lydian chord (Ab D# Eb) Try the previous concept out - Ab resolving to G!

[@lucasmontenegro8938]

Thanks Rick. I love so much when someone describes a scale or a mode or a chord by the sensation it causes. For me it's so amazingly helpful, I get it instantly where to use, how it sounds like, when to use it... When my first teacher told me that a major chord is a happy chord and a minor is a sad one, I almost never failed again to identify them. Music is about creating sensations and feelings in the end.

[@gaesardone7954]

ITALY here, I'm surprised no one in the USA mentioned Fleetwood Mac SARA! The intro is dreamy Lydian 100%( long before Satriani)

[@BigEdWo]

hi italy. great country.

[@neli250]

Great observation!!!! Yes! Great tune!

[@kg123krh]

lydian is just major on acid

[@jamaalstewart4657]

It’s literally higher lol

[@Yahootie]

Larry- nah, I’d say more like MDMA

[@mhitc.4975]

best explained

[@747lch]

Okay

[@jovaransguplar3019]

Lydian is just major except you're okay with dying

[@FrancescoDiMauro]

In Dream Theater's Hell's Kitchen there's a lydian section that brings you to tears. Definitely my favourite mode, thanks for sharing some insights!

[@JPetr94]

Yessss! In Overture 1928/Strange Deja Vu they use it a lot too P.S. Ibanez JPM FTW! ;)

[@FrancescoDiMauro]

@@JPetr94 you're right, I didn't think about that! P.S. Thanks! actually it's a standard 7 strings RG with some stickers and Petrucci's pickups from Di Marzio, but it rocks nonetheless! ;)

[@leddygee1896]

Why Ibanez ever let him go is beyond me...

[@warren_r]

Hell's Kitchen is one of my favourite songs to play on the bass precisely because of that spot.

[@FrancescoDiMauro]

@@leddygee1896 yeah, I remember being a bit pissed of when I saw him live for the first time in 2000 with the EBM prototype. Great guitars, I guess (never had the chance to try one properly), but Ibanez had that something, I don't know...

[@michaelandrewnewell]

Lydian is home for me. Generally, every composition I write has a little bit of a Lydian sound somewhere in the piece. Great video.

[@markemerson98]

today i learned so much im actually choked up - lydian will be in my arsenal of modes - beautiful - and to think ive been listening to Thomas Newman and didnt know, until now, why i adore his compositions so much...

[@archtica]

Twin Peaks theme is what pops into my mind

[@ggcmod]

It is ironic that the "devil's tritone" sounds "heavenly" in another context

[@TomJLewis1]

You mean that title track from the first Black Sabbath album?

[@esjel9804]

Yes, it is kind of ironic. But we all know names are arbitrary. Nevertheless, it was termed the devil's tritone because of the difficult for singers to sing that interval, especially in a choral setting. On another note, so to speak, the cool thing about the tritone is in its ambiguity as an interval, it is ful of tension and begs to be resovled. And in the context of this video and how it is used by composers, it is really about how strong a resolution (release of that tension) it brings when it resolves up (melodically).

[@esjel9804]

​@@johnmcminn9455 Beethoven and Bach boring? That couldn't be further from the truth. For one, much of Bach's music is modal, and explores within in it all the variations of the key he's playing in and its different modes. Check out Bach's fugue's and preludes from Well-Tempered-Clavier. To this day, there is not a composer who has match Bach in harmonic felicity, melodic creativity and polyphonic virtuosity - his ability to weave variations of his thematic material with in his music, forward, retrograde, inverted, diminutive, etc. As for Beethoven, with his 9 Symphonies, he transformed the genre into something which rivaled the opera. His Piano concerto's, Piano Sonata's all expanded upon what it meant to be a virtuoso pianist, composer and conductor. Have you not heard Beethoven's 5th, 7th or 9th Symphonies? How can they bore you? Especially the 9th? The 2 movement is so fun, despite he being almost completely deaf by then. Would we have Mahler without Beethoven? Mozart was prolific, but so much of his works were quite short (he started very young), trite with hardly any psychological or spiritual depth to them, save for his epic Requiems later in life, especially his Requiem in Dm - a true masterpiece. He still never reached the heights of Hadyn - he was more prolific with over 100 Symphonies - and would later become Beethoven's instructor. To this day, I can never tire of listening to Bach. I mean the amount of musical ideas he puts out in even one of his simplest pieces are a masterclass in compositional craftsmanship. Hiis more advanced works, toccata and fugue's for organ, or his Passacaglia and fugue's for organ, are the musical equivalent to quantum mechanics, and astrophysics. Go Lydian

[@Mike-pf1ru]

@@johnmcminn9455 There renaissance polyphonic hymns with the sharp 4th. It's a myth that the Church banned them.

[@mator2339]

@@johnmcminn9455 there is no heaven or hell and its still not ironic.

[@boilingpoint3]

Lydian mode: exists Progrock artists: It's free real estate!

[@josealejandrogarciarojas2218]

xddd

[@jeffpickering3716]

I was hooked on Howard Shore's soundtrack for Mrs. Doubtfire since the first time I heard it. It's got Lydian all over the place as a beautiful repeating theme throughout the film... And Tony Banks? He often visits Lydianland... Great video Rick!

[@skinnystrong]

I don't think I can search through the existing 1,998 comments already made, so perhaps this has been said before, but the chord mentioned in the video as coming from Beethoven V, 4th movement, as Lydian is a mis-interpretation. The C major chord at bar 32 functions as a pivot chord; the discussed D major over C is a V chord, in 4/2 position (third inversion, C on the bottom), and instead of resolving to G major in 1st inversion, there is an extended pedal D, which is V of G. The C-D-F#-A chord moves on to D-G-B at bar 38, and another D chord, and another G chord, and so on, and finally resolves to the tonic in G at bar 45. It sounds like V-4/2 of G, not anything Lydian, in my opinion. Rick, thank you for reading if you're reading - great channel and I always enjoy your videos.

[@benvigs]

Allen Menken took Lydian all the way to the bank. Lydian is King of modes. All Hail Lydian!

[@MusixPro4u]

Examples?

[@Plafintarr]

@@MusixPro4u The intro to "Part of your world" from The Little Mermaid is a great examlpe (: And Menken composed it.

[@hermanrobak1285]

But Dorian is ageless! I'll show myself out...

[@benvigs]

@@hermanrobak1285 LOL!

[@CavemanJesus4Life]

@@hermanrobak1285 Bhahahahahahahahahahaaah, damn that Dorian guy. Where's his painting at?

[@origineo]

The intro of Elton John's "The One" is a good example of lydian.

[@dannydimercurio577]

One of Elton John's most underrated achievements.

[@hbofbyu1]

D major over C. Which is a C lydian chord II Good one.

[@eduardorubio6394]

hi, can you talk about Steven Wilson, as a musician, composer, engenire, thanks Rick

[@paulsmith3400]

Queensryche, "Anybody Listening", Geoff sings a lydian chord in the beginning...."You and I....". Amazing!

[@dwrabauke]

I wish you were my music teacher back in school. I learned so much just watching your videos and cannot thank you enough for uploading them and sharing your knowledge free of charge.

[@GarethDaviesNZ]

Hearing that Lemony Snicket snippet reminded me of how much composers develop a sound of their own. I thought "that's the sound of Finding Nemo" and of course it is because that's Thomas Newman too.

[@wildnites558]

Now listen to the Melotron intro to Genesis’s ‘Watcher Of The Skies”.

[@ParedCheese]

I thought that's where the first chords of the video were going. 😁

[@gr637]

Lydian is like the sun braking through the clouds on Judgement Day ⛅️

[@Qaptyl]

lydian is like no clouds

[@JackMcDonnell91]

lydian has always been my favourite mode and I have Satriani/Vai to credit for that. but I've loved seeing the other examples that use Lydian that I probably wasn't aware of. cheers as always Rick!

[@gaiasgift]

Want to add that I've learned an incredible amount from your videos, especially about modes, and am super grateful. Learned much more than reading books and teachers I've sat through. You make sense. Thanks Rick.

[@jonathandorozowsky4005]

24 people who disliked this video have no rise or hopefulness.

[@schmozzer]

On here they just prove all trolls are losers.

[@messyties]

We call them mixolydians

[@ephraimpinckney8209]

They must belocrian fans😩

[@benvigs]

Nailed it!

[@tomaszj.9608]

I got your “rise” right here

[@arcaliasgiants9813]

The Lydian scale is “Why Johnny Can’t Read” -FZ

[@tealcollins9733]

"Friends" by Zeppelin has some powerful examples of Lydian!

[@MrGrumpycyclist]

Those chord sequences brought to mind the intro to Genesis's Watcher of the Skies.

[@ghostship85]

This song has got to be special. It went over my head for many years. But then again......so did sides 3 & 4 of the Lamb.

[@jowlgerae]

Congrats, this is great ! A lots of videos just go through every mode in 10 minutes, and for me who's discovering the sounds of these, I find it hard to get it to my ear. On the contrary, in this, you take time and give a lot of examples, and that is GREAT, and maybe, if you fancy it, I'd like to hear more about other modes from you, in this kind of video. Thanks a lot anyway !

[@TenThumbsProductions]

I feel confident in my understanding of Lydian, I know why it works, I know what it sounds like, but I just can't seem to make it sound good in my own song writing. I don't know if it is because my harmony in the key sucks or what.

[@payaso12331]

Incredible man, I have the exact same problem

[@vivsavagex]

you have to learn a bunch of pieces/songs that use lydian on your instrument. if you learn a few examples and understand whats going on around it, move the examples around to a bunch of different keys, youll internalize the sound that way.

[@lamusicadelblas]

Hey there! Try emphasizing the II and vii chords before returning to the tonic. Avoid that ivdim chord as well. Cheers!

[@AstorSkywalker]

Same problem with me. I can only hear steve vai and satriani but cannot for the really hear the simspsons them there. What am I missing? Btw vai -the riddle and satch-flying in a blue dream. I only hear the "mystery" in it

[@Arycke]

@@AstorSkywalker Simpsons is Lydian Dominant (not to be cunty); which is almost the same, but has b7 (it does go by Lydian b7 sometimes). The way to really get the sound out is to emphasize the half steps. Also, for Lydian specifically, it only differs from Ionian by one scale degree (the #4) and the seventh degree being a major 7 has an affinity to pull towards the tonic, "leading tone," so if you play notes or chords 1 #4 and 5 strictly, you'll sus out *haha* the Lydian sound. However, if you emphasize the 7 or end a line there, it will tend to sound more like Ionian >:[ another way to get a lydian sound going is a two chord vamp: 1. any major chord and this for this example, consider it the one/tonic 2. play a major chord one whole step up 3. repeat and use Lydian to improvise why? scale construction of Lydian vs Ionian Ionian is I ii iii IV V vi vii⁰ Lydian is I II iii iv⁰ V vi vii yes Ionian has two major chords a whole step between the IV and V chord, but not as tonic chords. Mixolydian has the same issue because it is Ionian b7. do the reverse of the above Lydian construction and emphasize the b7 and bam Mixolydian. 1. play a major chord, this will be tonic, 2. then descend a whole step and play a major chord there 3. Repeat and use Mixolydian to improvise I - VII that major 1 to major 7 in major scale modes only happens in Mixolydian yee

[@culturedmilk363]

I'm just trying to learn Bennie and the Jets.

[@pbierre]

Led Zep's "Dancing Days" is a Lydian masterpiece.

[@bobdole7127]

The Lydian mode always makes me feel like everything is not only going to be okay one day, but amazing one day. It's audible hope and wonder. I get a little teary at times depending on what kind of Lydian music I'm listening to. Great video!

[@jwcorcoran9838]

That Eb lydian with Bb in the bass is super Devin Townsend as well. Love this video!

[@trevorcrist5456]

Jupiter in “The Planets”?

[@gyrogearloose1345]

Probably referring to a section in Gustav Holst's The Planets Suite, 1916

[@originaluddite]

Just on piano keys a lot of it sounds more 'ghostly' than 'heavenly' to me. A small difference possibly but timbre has always affected me more than other musical elements.

[@TomYoder]

Yes. The word and feeling that always comes to me is "wonderment".

[@Nmdixon-cu7vm]

The intro sounded almost like van hagar “dreams”

[@TheDrummerbadboy]

Agree! Also reminded me quite a bit of the Sunshine soundtrack (Adagio in D minor)

[@macis4952]

Elmer Bernstein - To Kill a Mockingbird. Gorgeous.

[@AnkurWow]

This is my favorite video of yours ever. Your genuine enthusiasm and depth of research/knowledge on this that no other guitar channel on here has previously done (in this way)...

[@iamrichlol]

The thing that makes the Lydian mode, in my opinion, is how for the first 4 notes it is essentially the whole tone scale. This gives it a very mysterious and ethereal tonality.