Songs that use the Lydian mode

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  • čas přidán 17. 05. 2024
  • Lydian is one of the more elusive modes. Less common in rock and pop music and prone to causing confusion, the Lydian mode is as curious and mystical as it sounds.
    SOURCES:
    Rick Beato on Lydian: • The Lydian Mode | Why ...
    Establishing Lydian as the tonic: music.stackexchange.com/quest...
    George Russell Lydian Concept: www.thejazzpianosite.com/jazz...
    Lydian in rock modality:
    trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewc...
    Dubious article on “Teenage Dream”, “Dreams” and Lydian: www.ethanhein.com/wp/2016/mus...)
    You can stream my EP "The Longest March" at Spotify: sptfy.com/davidbennett
    or download it at Bandcamp: davidbennettpiano.bandcamp.com/
    And, an extra special thanks goes to Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
    SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹
    0:00 Introduction
    0:21 "Yoda's Theme"
    2:06 "Waltz #1"
    2:24 "When We Dance"
    2:44 "Possibly Maybe"
    3:00 "Dancing Days"
    3:29 "Oceans"
    4:04 The Lydian vamp (I - II)
    5:05 Lydian in film music
    6:47 Lydian's harmonic instability
    13:21 "Dreams"
    14:59 "Sara"
    15:48 "The Simpsons Theme"
    16:39 "Pretty Ballerina"
    16:58 "Blue Jay Way"
    17:43 Outro

Komentáře • 1,1K

  • @randolphgallagher7942
    @randolphgallagher7942 Před 2 lety +1781

    D Lorean is my favorite mode as used in "Back to the Future".

    • @martinvo7369
      @martinvo7369 Před 2 lety +31

      I would love to like this comment but it already has perfect 42 likes!

    • @Lestrela
      @Lestrela Před 2 lety +101

      The only mode I know is Depeche Mode

    • @crazymusicchick
      @crazymusicchick Před 2 lety +4

      Haha

    • @spensert4933
      @spensert4933 Před 2 lety +32

      Kraftwerk uses A Florian.

    • @jimjmcd
      @jimjmcd Před 2 lety +33

      . . . or Mando Lorian

  • @ishi_gho9695
    @ishi_gho9695 Před 2 lety +667

    I don’t care if it’s overwhelming, I want more Lydian!!!

    • @gi5897
      @gi5897 Před 2 lety +3

      Same...

    • @HaharuRecords
      @HaharuRecords Před 2 lety +10

      Master Yoda: Control yourself

    • @connorconant1957
      @connorconant1957 Před 2 lety +16

      @Beth Official No it's "Control yourself, you must".

    • @apothecurio
      @apothecurio Před 2 lety +3

      “I love you” by Ben Levin. Doesn’t get more Lydian than that. idek if it’s Lydian but it has the same feeling brought to like 500%

    • @pAWNproductionsDE
      @pAWNproductionsDE Před 2 lety

      A lot of Chon's older stuff is heavily based in Lydian

  • @lordsmorgasbord2646
    @lordsmorgasbord2646 Před 2 lety +286

    you're honestly one of the best music theory channels on youtube. out of all the music theory channels I watch I've probably learned the most from you.

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +28

      Thank you! 😃

    • @ThinWhiteAxe
      @ThinWhiteAxe Před 2 lety +8

      Yeah he has a great way of explaining this complicated stuff in a way that makes sense even to someone who's not extremely well-versed in music theory

    • @klaxoncow
      @klaxoncow Před 2 lety +9

      @@ThinWhiteAxe I feel it's because David actually genuinely explains.
      Like, another channel might say "sometimes, the lydian will be confused for the major scale" and then just leave it at that. We're just supposed to accept that this is the case, without any explanation of why.
      But, here, David will properly deep dive into what it is that's making that happen. Answering those "why?" questions. Or, if you like, he's resolving those dissonant "why?" questions to a tonic "first principle". It's a proper full explanation, because you can get from basic first principles to what he's explaining and back again, with some thought.
      Crap teaching leaves all these dissonant "why?" questions hanging unresolved. "This is the case". Yes, but why? Where does that come from? it's just a "fact dump" and we're just supposed to accept it, because "teacher said so".
      But proper teaching, proper understanding, comes from having your facts anchored back to first principles. And David always seems to do that.

    • @ThinWhiteAxe
      @ThinWhiteAxe Před 2 lety +1

      @@klaxoncow well put.

    • @Barefoot433
      @Barefoot433 Před rokem

      @@klaxoncow Dissonant, unresolved... you even speak music theory when writing about the application of music theory.

  • @nibyafternight1983
    @nibyafternight1983 Před 2 lety +96

    I never though I would see Björk, Marty McFly and Yoda in the same thumbnail. That was an instant click

  • @jamesd2220
    @jamesd2220 Před 2 lety +44

    Phrygian = boldness, exuberance, passion, courage, leadership, but in excess pride, rashness, irascibility, violent anger.
    Lydian = good cheer, optimism, sublimity, friendliness, laughter, love and song.
    Dorian = sleepiness, lethargy, laziness, slowness, mental dullness, forgetfulness, calmness, internal equanimity, well being.
    Mixolydian = solidity, firmness, steadfastness, rhythm, but with a certain indolent tenacity.

    • @byronrobbins8834
      @byronrobbins8834 Před 7 měsíci +3

      The Lydian mode is the brightest sounding mode of regular music.

    • @Snarkapotamus
      @Snarkapotamus Před 5 měsíci +1

      @@byronrobbins8834 - Yep, because of that sharp 4th. Next is Ionian, or you basic C major scale with no sharps or flats...

    • @byronrobbins8834
      @byronrobbins8834 Před 5 měsíci

      @@Snarkapotamus then the key signature will agree with the root note.

    • @Snarkapotamus
      @Snarkapotamus Před 5 měsíci

      @@byronrobbins8834 - I don't understand the connection to what was said..what's the root note have to do with how a mode sounds?

    • @alfonzog6327
      @alfonzog6327 Před 15 hodinami

      I see they've released new tarot cards

  • @francoomarlopezlopez
    @francoomarlopezlopez Před 2 lety +164

    Lydian is by far my favorite mode!
    It always sounds so pretty and mystical!

    • @NyanGeneral
      @NyanGeneral Před 2 lety +7

      Lydian is easily my favourite mode too
      Unfortunately its very difficult to write with for popular music and is a hard tonality to sound good

    • @francoomarlopezlopez
      @francoomarlopezlopez Před 2 lety +17

      @@NyanGeneral if I had to give you advice, it would be to embrace dissonance
      The more dissonance 1 chord has, the nicer the more consonant the next one sounds

    • @phil_xd_ipp8232
      @phil_xd_ipp8232 Před 2 lety +1

      But how do you know if it's a C lydian scale or just a G key

    • @francoomarlopezlopez
      @francoomarlopezlopez Před 2 lety +5

      @@phil_xd_ipp8232 where it feels resolved

    • @Buddha075
      @Buddha075 Před rokem

      @@phil_xd_ipp8232 Same notes but it depends on the harmony of the song. If the song’s progression is say Cmaj-Dmaj the general tonality is C and a D major chord contains an F# which is the raised 4th note in C Lydian. C major: CDEFGABC C Lydian: CDEF#GABC. If the song’s progression is say E min, G major, Cadd9, etc. The general tonality is G. The most important thing is to use your ears to distinguish the sound and characteristics of the modes. Another example is B major and E lydian are the same notes but if you want to evoke an E lydian tonality the progression should largely revolve or vamp around some variation of an E major chord. Technically you can play licks in B major over an E lydian progression and it will work because its the same notes. But if the tonal center is E that should be the tonality you’re focusing on. As a guitar player I learned modes this way. Over a C lydian progression you can play G major pentatonic and it will sound lydian because the harmony of the music revolves around C. G major is also A Dorian, B phrygian, D mixolydian, e aeolian (minor), f# locrian etc. All are the same notes it just depends on what the harmony is of the song. Over Amin7 A dorian will sound good, B7-C7 B phrygian will sound really exotic, etc. hope this helps

  • @pite9
    @pite9 Před 2 lety +210

    This is why the chorus in Man on the Moon sounds like a key change to me.

    • @MomLAU
      @MomLAU Před 2 lety +3

      It sure does!

  • @iluvausten40517
    @iluvausten40517 Před 2 lety +60

    WHEW!! I thought we were going to get through a whole video without a Beatles example . . . sighed with relief at the end . . . :-D

    •  Před 2 lety

      I missed Radiohead this time. Very sad...

  • @LydianMelody
    @LydianMelody Před 2 lety +178

    “Lydian is unstable” I feel attacked

  • @rome8180
    @rome8180 Před 2 lety +138

    I wish you had said, "A brilliant example of the Lydian scale in action is...John Williams." And just left it at that.

    • @TrevorGrismore
      @TrevorGrismore Před 2 lety +3

      I swear on my life, I was listening to "The Mission" by John Williams when this video popped up, and I thought to myself, "Wow, what about what I'm listening to right now?"

    • @rome8180
      @rome8180 Před 2 lety +6

      @@TrevorGrismore it's like half his music, and I love it.

  • @gaz0463
    @gaz0463 Před 2 lety +41

    I think this channel is the best if you want to learn music theory. The combination of clear succinct instruction with the visual written music and the actual playing gives a very easy to understand way of teaching what can be quite complicated and easily misunderstood!

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +4

      Thanks Gaz! 😃

    • @genesisPiano
      @genesisPiano Před rokem

      Check out czcams.com/users/8bitMusicTheory for another take on this kind of stuff.

  • @germanbushin9723
    @germanbushin9723 Před 2 lety +23

    Joe Satriani's Flying In A Blue Dream is a textbook example of everything Lydian mode should be. Also, the name of the song is possible the most accurate description of what Lydian feels like

  • @whatdoyousuppose
    @whatdoyousuppose Před 2 lety +56

    My favorite Lydian example of the I-II pattern is also my favorite song, “Part of Your World” and Ariel’s theme in general (her “ahhhhhh” vocalise) in The Little Mermaid by Alan Menken & Howard Ashman! It just sounds like a magical ocean with rippling waves and really feels like yearning for something that lies just beyond the surface of the water, barely out of reach, a glimmering want, exactly conveying Ariel’s dream of wanting to be a human ❤️

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +11

      Great example! Wish I had included it 🧜🏻‍♀️

    • @Benjy52
      @Benjy52 Před 2 lety

      I don’t hear that as Lydian. I hear that as D minor.

    • @byronrobbins8834
      @byronrobbins8834 Před rokem

      ​@@Benjy52 the Lydian mode is the brightest mode you can get.

    • @brennanmaynard4237
      @brennanmaynard4237 Před rokem +1

      @@Benjy52 but it’s not. They use a Major II chord after a Major I, which is Lydian, whereas it would have to be a minor ii chord to be D minor.

  • @HimanXK
    @HimanXK Před 2 lety +99

    I wasn't expecting St Vincent to show up. I love how diverse your examples always are.

    • @jackhead790
      @jackhead790 Před 2 lety +1

      Same! Huey Newton is such a great song.

    • @WildHeart7777
      @WildHeart7777 Před 2 lety +1

      Same!

    • @victorgarbarini186
      @victorgarbarini186 Před 2 lety

      Think it's what gives the " lift" to the Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic". Think Sting's 4th bass note is where you hear it.

  • @bobsykes
    @bobsykes Před 2 lety +22

    I's finally dawning on me that a reason I enjoy your videos so much is not only your clear explanations, but that you use songs I love and know so well as examples. Really enjoying all of your videos! ✌️

  • @triandgle
    @triandgle Před 2 lety +74

    ▲ i would just quickly like to confess that, by way of practising music theory, i use all your modes/scales/keys/chords analysis videos as a starting point for writing songs. thanks a lot, david!

    • @viciousdope66
      @viciousdope66 Před 2 lety +5

      Nothing wrong with that. We all have to start somewhere. There’s some quote about: “the best songwriters steal/borrow from others,” which I find totally true. The term “influence” is simply a glorified word for stealing someone else’s idea(s). Best of luck in your musical journey!

    • @unofficialdontism
      @unofficialdontism Před rokem

      @@viciousdope66 literally a lot of the soundtrack I make I see that I use a lot of what I know about songs,
      Even not knowing music theory very well, it happens some times

  • @s.kreusler5081
    @s.kreusler5081 Před rokem +10

    the "da-da-da" melody in Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger" is in E Lydian, which gives it that bright catchy boost. It fits the pattern of only small parts of the music being in Lydian, not the entire piece.

  • @joanne3417
    @joanne3417 Před 2 lety +37

    At first I was like, wait.. Where's The Beatles example?? Then I breathed a sigh of relief towards the end.

    • @MomLAU
      @MomLAU Před 2 lety +6

      Let me guess-- you were listening to this and asking "Please don't be very long..."

  • @Ivehadenuff
    @Ivehadenuff Před 2 lety +2

    I’m 63 and consider myself an advanced beginner in music. I’m enjoying these videos and have learned a lot. Wish I had the internet when I was trying to learn how to play guitar. Thanks!

  • @discoverscandinaviatours
    @discoverscandinaviatours Před 2 lety +18

    David, I am repeatedly blown away by the quality and clarity of your presentations, as well as by your profound understanding of the theory behind it all. The way you demystify Music Theory (through connections with examples we all know and love) is truly fantastic. Awesome job, man!

  • @ConceptJunkie
    @ConceptJunkie Před 2 lety +9

    I was vaguely aware of Lydian as far as it sounds for many years, but never realized until fairly recently that the sound comes from the Lydian mode. Now I constantly recognize it, especially in movie soundtrack music, as you mentioned in the video. I'm surprised you didn't mention perhaps the most famous movie score that uses Lydian, which is John Williams' theme from "Superman: The Movie".

  • @jennytaylor930
    @jennytaylor930 Před 2 lety +30

    Hi, this video made me write a song using the Lydian scale. I'm so happy with it, I feel it's one of the best songs I've ever written. I had the idea for the song while watching your video, thank you so much for the inspiration!!

  • @outphase78
    @outphase78 Před 11 měsíci +3

    I'm a bedroom hobbyist producer and was writing some chords and made something so uplifting and emotional. I did some research and found that it was using a lydian scale and that's how I ended up here.
    What a beautiful sound, I'm so glad to have learned about it. Thank you for the deep dive explanation.

  • @musicappreciate
    @musicappreciate Před 2 lety +13

    Thanks David- I’ve seen Rick Beato and Jake Lizzio about this mode, and yours helped me even more.

  • @MsChestnutter1
    @MsChestnutter1 Před 2 lety +16

    The peice you wrote sounds to mystic and beautiful, I Love it.

  • @logechi3661
    @logechi3661 Před 2 lety +4

    As a non native English speaker, I found your English one of the best I ever heard! I noticed that your videos are maybe the only that I can follow easily without English subtitles, also thanks to the editing!

    • @Benjy52
      @Benjy52 Před 2 lety +1

      This is UK English, as opposed to US English that you’re most likely hearing outside of this channel.

    • @logechi3661
      @logechi3661 Před 2 lety

      @@Benjy52 yes but also among other people from UK that I know, I find his accent clearer for me

    • @Benjy52
      @Benjy52 Před 2 lety

      @@logechi3661 It’s definitely a southern England accent. But also, the audio quality is studio level which definitely helps

  • @laurelcello
    @laurelcello Před 2 lety +5

    finding out that sara by fleetwood mac is in lydian mode makes so much sense, that is absolutely the reason that song sounds so magical

  • @rivverboy
    @rivverboy Před 2 lety +36

    You had me worried there for a second with not mentioning the Beatles.

    • @klaxoncow
      @klaxoncow Před 2 lety +8

      I'm still worried that there was no Radiohead.

  • @maraeinson4722
    @maraeinson4722 Před 2 lety +8

    This video was so helpful. I studied music for years in high school and college and could never wrap my brain around modes. This video was so clear and detailed without being overwhelming, and I can't wait to add some lydian magic to my songwriting. Thank you, thank you!

    • @panosfloyd
      @panosfloyd Před 2 lety

      C3 to C4 is the Ionian mode(or major scale)
      D3 to D4 is the Dorian mode
      F3 to F4 is the Lydian mode
      A3 to A4 is the Aeolian mode(or natural minor scale)
      etc
      So with the same 7 notes, we can make 7 different modes.
      Actually, we don't need to use any flats and sharps in between if we use the "authentic" key for each mode (so these 7 modes can be played without having to use any black keys on the piano if we want to).
      This is the simple way that these modes are initially constructed.
      Each one in its own key.
      When we move these modes to another key, then of course in order to keep the same relationship between tones and semitones, we use flats and sharps like David did with the C Lydian mode and used a sharp.

  • @Outside998
    @Outside998 Před 2 lety +6

    I was once asked by a friend of mine to write her a piece as a sort of "waiting room" tune for her streams. As she likes space and stars a lot, I wrote it entirely in Lydian. Never wrote in that mode before that song. And what you mentioned about how the mode always wants to go back to its relative major scale I can confirm. It was difficult to stay in Lydian, as the sharpend fourth, the characteristic note for that mode, is the leading tone to the tonic of its relative major scale. Which ALSO happens to be the dominant to the one.

  • @michaelblair2536
    @michaelblair2536 Před rokem

    These vids are the gold standard when it comes to understanding modes

  • @Lefty7788tinkatolli
    @Lefty7788tinkatolli Před 2 lety +21

    I believe that's all the modes now!
    Now you've gotta move onto the Hungarian Minor, Lydian Augmented, Altered scale and the Double Harmonic Major :D haha

  • @yearnpill
    @yearnpill Před 2 lety +179

    Glad to see an Elliott Smith example here, he’s my second favourite songwriter ever and his music is so harmonically rich and beautiful

    • @Providence1017
      @Providence1017 Před 2 lety +4

      Who's your first?

    • @yearnpill
      @yearnpill Před 2 lety +11

      @@Providence1017 Joji hahah, definitely not the most complex or skilled songwriter but his music has helped me through a lot in my personal life. It could change with time though, some of my other favourites are Gilbert O’Sullivan, Justin Vernon, George Harrison, Elton John, Nick Drake, Mac DeMarco, Nick Rattigan, Kurt Cobain, Frank Ocean.. a lot more. :)

    • @Providence1017
      @Providence1017 Před 2 lety +2

      @@yearnpill Man, I've never listened to Jojo but i do know him from his filthy frank days. But I'm a huge fan of all the other favorites you mentioned so i think it's time i check his stuff out!

    • @TeShiky
      @TeShiky Před 2 lety +1

      2:45 am is also in phrygian btw.

    • @tonybates7870
      @tonybates7870 Před 2 lety +12

      Elliott Smith was a pop genius. The lyrical angst of a Cobain with the harmonic nous of McCartney.

  • @joshuarogers4362
    @joshuarogers4362 Před 2 lety +5

    Thank you for putting the modes into context like this it’s the most useful way for me to understand these modes

  • @jimmaveety6343
    @jimmaveety6343 Před měsícem

    Hello David. I just finished watching your 3 videos: Dorian, Mixolydian and Lydian modes. These three vid are exceptional. You have done a great job of explaining these modes, their characteristics and giving great song examples to illustrate their characteristics. Thank you for your work.

  • @nahuel6136
    @nahuel6136 Před 2 lety +85

    there's a song from almendra, a great late 60s argentinian band, called "a estos hombres tristes", the song is centered in a Cmaj7 chord with the raised 4th, the main riff is in 5/4 and it's a tempo mess! It's a really amazing song!

    • @matpull9014
      @matpull9014 Před 2 lety +10

      Que loco encontrarme a Almendra acá. Y que banda tremenda la verdad. Todo ese album es tan variado en las canciones y en las estructuras que no suena como ninguna otra cosa. Además que justo esa canción es tan compleja sin perder belleza, como va creciendo entre la letra y los solos del final alternando cada cinco segundos de ritmo mas o menos. Ah, y te faltó mencionar que termina en un Picardy Third, al igual que "Plegaria para un niño dormido".
      Translation for those that don't speak Spanish:
      How unexpected to find Almendra mentioned here. And what an amazing band they are. That whole album is so diverse in its songs and their structures, that it doesn't sound like anybody else, it's a unique sound. And that song you mentioned is so complex without losing any beauty, the way the music begins developing and growing through the lyrics and the guitar solos in the end, changing tempo every section, it's insane. Oh, and you forgot to mention that the song ends with a Picardy Third, just like "Plegaria para un niño dormido", another song on the same album.

    • @avalynofdoom2293
      @avalynofdoom2293 Před 2 lety

      Unos de sus temas mas interesantes B)

    • @nahuel6136
      @nahuel6136 Před 2 lety +4

      @@matpull9014 Concuerdo! Spinetta era una maestro en añadir elementos complejos a sus temas sin perder la musicalidad o que suene forzado!

    • @brunoxd156
      @brunoxd156 Před 2 lety +2

      Invisible también debe de tener varias complejidades en términos de teoría musical. Un maestro el flaco!

    • @Blanca.Elizabeth
      @Blanca.Elizabeth Před 2 lety +1

      Qué gustazo ver que reconocen al genio Spinetta por acá

  • @Justin_-id3bt
    @Justin_-id3bt Před 2 lety +56

    one of my fave Guitar centric lydian songs is Joe Satrianis Flying in a Blue Dream

  • @adrewster
    @adrewster Před 2 lety +22

    Tears for Fears and R.E.M. are two of my favorite bands/groups, and he gives examples of them consecutively? Yayyyyy

  • @jello-tarzan
    @jello-tarzan Před 2 lety +1

    Zappa used it a lot, as in "Watermelon in Easter Hay". So beautiful.

  • @ggus8512
    @ggus8512 Před 2 lety

    David your channel is gold. One of the best CZcams channels. Not only the musical educating, but greatly entertaining! Thanks much!

  • @Wind-nj5xz
    @Wind-nj5xz Před 2 lety +56

    I was literally listening to Radiohead when you uploaded this

  • @liquidsolids9415
    @liquidsolids9415 Před 2 lety +3

    Fantastic explanation, once again. You did a great job of going through the tritone resolution and why it sounds the way it does. Thanks! Keep up the great work!

  • @GrouchoMarx_55
    @GrouchoMarx_55 Před 2 lety

    DUDE you have got to be the finest theory and modal teacher that exists on CZcams. You have opened my eyes so much in this regard and i have studied music for over 40 years. Cannot emphasize enough!!! Fantastic job!!

  • @mushumushimaro3200
    @mushumushimaro3200 Před 2 lety +1

    I kid you not, I was just watching last night until 2 AM your videos on modes and wow... the timing couldn't have been better!! You're doing amazing things for people who want to learn more about the insides of western music and I love your videos to the max.

  • @vic365
    @vic365 Před 2 lety +3

    This is brilliant, as always. Always enjoy your videos explaining why some songs aren't quite as simple as we think.

  • @baconrocksable
    @baconrocksable Před 2 lety +4

    It looks like so much time and effort and research goes into these videos with editing and the video effects and then writing a song on top of that?? I always feel so educated after watching these videos even if I don't know as much about music theory as I should to follow along. I just find all of this so interesting and I really enjoy these videos. So, thank you for making them!

  • @emilpysenisoncrack420
    @emilpysenisoncrack420 Před 2 lety +14

    1:58 One of the credit songs from Wall-E is literally named "Down To Earth", sung by Peter Gabriel, and it goes from B lydian to C# mixolydian when he sings "We're coming down to the ground". I know it isn't exactly the same as what happens here but still interesting.
    Edit: Before changing key center he also sings about being "High in the sky".

    • @byronrobbins8834
      @byronrobbins8834 Před 4 měsíci

      Then the actual key signature of it would simply be the note F#.

  • @michaeleaster1815
    @michaeleaster1815 Před 2 lety +6

    Wonderful! I always enjoy examples of the modes in pop songs... thanks David

  • @gr637
    @gr637 Před 2 lety +4

    Flying in a Blue Dream by Satriani is another exquisite example of Lydian ethereal beauty.

  • @kainegaming
    @kainegaming Před 2 lety +7

    the outro sounds amazing

  • @MyOctopusGarden
    @MyOctopusGarden Před 2 lety

    Another brilliant vid. This series has made these scales so much more understandable and tangible for me. The original composition at the end is very nice. Groovy but contemplative. Thanks for your content, my friend.

  • @user-rw8mo6fn4y
    @user-rw8mo6fn4y Před 2 lety +2

    4:59
    I'm just a beginner in guitar and not familiar with theories but when I saw the words 'ethereal' and 'magical', I came up with St. Vincent right away. Then, she appeared. It's astonishing!

  • @nettles89
    @nettles89 Před 2 lety +3

    Very timely! I’m finally starting to understand the modes in more than an abstract sense.

  • @TheAdvertisement
    @TheAdvertisement Před 2 lety +5

    It's really cool how well Lydian fits a mysterious space theme. Perfect for Yoda!

  • @itsme20231
    @itsme20231 Před rokem

    Thank you, and I love that piece you composed at the end. It's beautiful

  • @lgmc
    @lgmc Před 2 lety

    Thanks so much for these David. Absolutely love your compositions at the end of each video

  • @Neelo5000
    @Neelo5000 Před 2 lety +6

    Flying in a Blue Dream by Joe Satriani is also an interesting take on the lydian sound. He includes the #11 in each of the chord changes then plays the associated lydian scale over it.

  • @katiefrisk980
    @katiefrisk980 Před 2 lety +10

    I find that a good way to avoid modulating to the V chord in lydian is to invert it, then quickly move away from it by using secondary chords (yes this does take us away from lydian, but at least maintains the tonic). So for example in C lydian:
    ||: Cmaj7 | D7/C :||
    | G/B Bbm6 | F7/A Ab7 | C/G F#dim7 | Gsus G13 |

  • @JeffMTX
    @JeffMTX Před 8 měsíci

    I always loved that flip- flop in head over heels by TFF, 25 years and I still love it like a pillow

  • @neilingle794
    @neilingle794 Před 3 měsíci

    Another good one, and I love the way you explain with examples. The end piece is beautiful.
    I think I've got another example: Keep on Loving You by REO Speedwagon - it seems to progress in Lydian mode: C - D/C - Em/C, until just before the chorus where it moves to G. It's amazing how Lydian does feel like it needs to resolve to the 5th more than if played in the major scale.

  • @iximusic
    @iximusic Před 2 lety +3

    Fantastic video. Love the section where you dispel the Lydian myths and the differences between those progressions. "Dreams" is cool to me because we don't really get that tonic chord and it's fun to think about how we can so strongly perceive something that's not really there. You helped me see it's at least in part because of the melody!

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +2

      Thanks! 😃The thing with Dreams is we do actually get the tonic chord later for the guitar break (when it shifts to “Am”)

    • @linneasablosky6675
      @linneasablosky6675 Před měsícem

      @@DavidBennettPiano "Dreams" is in C major!!! I insist

  • @UnclePhil73
    @UnclePhil73 Před 2 lety +5

    I always feel smarter watching these videos. Thank you for explaining deep music theory in such a way that amateurs can understand

  • @dimitridehouck9506
    @dimitridehouck9506 Před 2 lety +2

    Oh man these video's are soooooo well made. My teacher asked me to write a piece in the lydian scale but I didn't understand anything about it. But thanks to you I'm all up to speed.

  • @enzocypriani5055
    @enzocypriani5055 Před 2 lety

    Thank you so much for this series! this is the perfect format to anyone who wants to really understand the modes

  • @royalex21
    @royalex21 Před 2 lety +3

    And with that, the circle is complete!
    But seriously, great video David. I can’t wait to see what you have in store next!

  • @cosmicshatter8973
    @cosmicshatter8973 Před 2 lety +3

    You have no idea how excited I was when I saw this video

  • @CLaw-tb5gg
    @CLaw-tb5gg Před 11 dny

    Lydian and Phrygian dominant (aka the “Egyptian scale”) are my favourites. They’re so evocative.

  • @giantteshorelone6345
    @giantteshorelone6345 Před 2 lety

    The piece of music in the outro is so beautiful, romantic yet well-controlled, not an ebullient cliché at all....

  • @radiozelaza
    @radiozelaza Před 2 lety +31

    Sting has nice Lydian tunes: Seven Days, Every Little Thing She Does, Don't Stand So Close To Me or The Lazarus Heart

    • @francoomarlopezlopez
      @francoomarlopezlopez Před 2 lety

      I get what you're talking about with every little thing she does and lazarus heart, but the rest are definitely not lydian lol

    • @radiozelaza
      @radiozelaza Před 2 lety

      @@francoomarlopezlopez Seven Days's verse is Lydian, although you can only hear vividly live, when Sting sings a slightly altered melody with a raised fourth to stress the Lydian aspect.
      Don't Stand's riff is also distinctly Lydian with that raised fourth, although the tonal center seems to be a minor chord (so it's a bVI-i progression, not a I-iii).

    • @francoomarlopezlopez
      @francoomarlopezlopez Před 2 lety

      Don' Stand it's in G minor, not Eb Lydian
      Seven Days is pretty ambiguous in tonality, but it's not lydian

    • @radiozelaza
      @radiozelaza Před 2 lety

      @@francoomarlopezlopez it is Lydian, and Don't Stand has this characteristic Lydian raised fourth in the riff and vocal hook - but because of the resolution to G minor, the Lydian effect is reduced.

    • @francoomarlopezlopez
      @francoomarlopezlopez Před 2 lety

      @@radiozelaza have you ever heard of root notes?
      If you haven't, I'll explain it
      The root note is the note that a melody or harmony wants to resolve to
      So whichever note sounds most resolved, will be the root note
      In don't stand, that root note is G
      And the scale that is used goes G, A, Ab, C, D, Eb, F
      Those are the notes of G natural minor
      IF the root were Eb it would be Lydian, but it's not
      The root is G from my perception, and also most musician's perception
      If you wanna test it out, hum a G note over it and see if you think it's resolved

  • @creamydistortion
    @creamydistortion Před 2 lety +6

    Thanks for using the *score* for the movie - I saw the pic of Michael J. Fox, and I thought "No, dude that's not what Huey Lewis looks like!"

  • @mr.malteser5036
    @mr.malteser5036 Před měsícem +1

    Radiohead’s All I Need is another example of pure lydian from what I could tell, with Thom’s melody and the Cmaj13#11 chord at the end of the track both emphasizing the #4. Kinda surprised he didn’t include it considering how much of a Radiohead fan he is :))

  • @grant7739
    @grant7739 Před 3 měsíci

    First of all, thank you David for the amazing videos! I have been really enjoying your videos touring different songs in different modes :) One cool thing I noticed was that really beautiful, haunting outro played at 17:43 actually gave my ears a mixolydian vibe. The heavy emphasis on the A at the beginning, and then that sweet transition to a "lowered 7th" of the natural G is what gave this a mixolydian sound to me :) The reason it could technically be called either is because G Lydian and A Mixolydian actually use the exact same notes from the D Major scale. How you define it all depends on what sounds like "home" (or Tonic) to your ears. Ultimately though, it doesn't matter what it's called, the only thing that really matters is what it FEELS like ~ ~ ~ 🎶🎶❤❤

  • @OneMan-wl1wj
    @OneMan-wl1wj Před 2 lety +5

    The brief Zep example of "dancing days" you used (to avoid the copyright strike I presume) was superb.... excellent guitar sound.

  • @brunoalves3958
    @brunoalves3958 Před 2 lety +9

    Joe Satriani’s “Flying the in a Blue Dream” is an amazing example of the Lydian sound. It’s definitely worth checking it out.

  • @dxaminal777
    @dxaminal777 Před 2 lety

    Looking forward to that LCC video. Been waiting for a clear and concise explanation of some of Russel's ideas.

  • @eduardotrillo3519
    @eduardotrillo3519 Před 9 měsíci

    so helpful, as always! thanks David!

  • @christopher4443
    @christopher4443 Před 2 lety +47

    This could've just been filled with Steve Vai

    • @rosettag7292
      @rosettag7292 Před 2 lety +3

      or Zappa !

    • @jankafka7330
      @jankafka7330 Před 2 lety

      But nobody other than film composers uses lydian that much.

    • @whatsmynameagain4839
      @whatsmynameagain4839 Před 2 lety +4

      And Joe Satriani

    • @kodowdus
      @kodowdus Před 2 lety +1

      If you're talking about the Lydian "scale" (as opposed to Lydian harmonic structure), it's a staple in jazz, for very interesting reasons:
      www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/composers-musical-theories-influenced-miles-davis-john-coltrane/article1200767/

    • @collinjamesguitar
      @collinjamesguitar Před 2 lety

      100%

  • @rupen42
    @rupen42 Před 2 lety +55

    My favorite example of lydian is the Lost Woods theme from Ocarina of Time.

    • @tonicogsf
      @tonicogsf Před 2 lety

      Yes!

    • @zeldaoc7
      @zeldaoc7 Před rokem

      Song of Healing uses the Lydian scale too

    • @TheRealUncleScar
      @TheRealUncleScar Před rokem

      It's not, it just starts on the fourth instead of the root. It is very clearly in C major just starts on F.

    • @rupen42
      @rupen42 Před rokem

      @@TheRealUncleScar yeah, definitely. The way it emphasizes the sharp #4 in the melody over that F chord is very memorable though and it gives it the otherworldly lydian vibe to my ears. It's my go-to when I try to think of a lydian sound.

  • @aguadevida8798
    @aguadevida8798 Před rokem +1

    I cannot thank you enough. You drew my attention to the fact that two of my fav songs by two of my fav bands are in Lydian (Oceans and Man on the Moon - talking about the mystical nature of Lydian…)

  • @natetheannihilnater1886
    @natetheannihilnater1886 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Nice that you included Here Comes my Girl. Dont Go to Pieces by The Cars also has a lydian change. And a unique chord progression

  • @MaquiladoraIII
    @MaquiladoraIII Před 2 lety +6

    You’ve absolutely made my day by including an Elliott Smith classic!

  • @gillianomotoso328
    @gillianomotoso328 Před 2 lety +10

    17:26 - "Blue Jay Way" is like a Lydian-Locrian hybrid. Or Lydian #2

    • @GiveZeeAChance
      @GiveZeeAChance Před 2 lety

      Always kinda felt like a mode of the harmonic minor scale to me.. but I think that's just the minor third between the E flat and the F sharp

    • @niallgalaxy48
      @niallgalaxy48 Před 2 lety +1

      @@GiveZeeAChance that might be because its using all the notes of lydian and lydian b3 and lydian b3 is a mode of the harmonic major scale

    • @brendancronin3796
      @brendancronin3796 Před 2 lety

      That's a strange sounding song

    • @gillianomotoso328
      @gillianomotoso328 Před 2 lety

      @@brendancronin3796 indeed!

  • @grishmar
    @grishmar Před 7 měsíci

    Great videos! Just found you and I love the way you explain theory. Thanks!

  • @9guitarman
    @9guitarman Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you David for such a clear explanation.

  • @JohnnyTortel
    @JohnnyTortel Před 2 lety +3

    Marty O'Donnell based the OG Destiny soundtrack on lydian dominant and it is absolutely beautiful

  • @gillianomotoso328
    @gillianomotoso328 Před 2 lety +18

    12:50 - I'd argue that Lydian is hyper-stable. It carries no tension to resolve from and so it feels immobile, even though it can be atmospherically very captivating.

    • @carsonnichols7428
      @carsonnichols7428 Před 2 lety +2

      If it has no tension to resolve, then it isnt stable

    • @gillianomotoso328
      @gillianomotoso328 Před 2 lety +2

      @@carsonnichols7428 Indeed. I actually was in the middle of editing this comment hours ago, because I considered a better way to describe it: hyper-consonant. It’s all consonance, no dissonance. There is no downward resolution in it, only upward to the fifth and upward to the root. Unless you consider the fifth to be resolving to the augmented fourth.

    • @kodowdus
      @kodowdus Před 2 lety +1

      The notion that tension needs to be resolved in order to have a good musical experience strikes me as a rather Euro-centric viewpoint (or is that the primary focus of this channel?)...
      m.czcams.com/video/Kr3quGh7pJA/video.html

    • @brendancronin3796
      @brendancronin3796 Před 2 lety +1

      Yeah I know what you mean ...dissonant notes sound like there fighting with each other

    • @gillianomotoso328
      @gillianomotoso328 Před 2 lety

      @@kodowdus It doesn’t need to happen to be good. It’s just that it lends to stasis over motion. Stasis is important for setting a modal atmosphere.

  • @Kitth3n
    @Kitth3n Před rokem

    I’m glad you included when we dance. Very underrated song probably my favorite sting ballad

  • @toxicmusic4149
    @toxicmusic4149 Před 2 lety

    I love your modal videos, keep up the great work!

  • @finnrummygaming
    @finnrummygaming Před 2 lety +10

    Thank you for pointing out the tritone concept when it comes to modes. The fact that Lydian and Locrian both start on these tritone intervals plays part as to why these modes are on opposite ends of the Modal Spectrum.

  • @trevorfox3759
    @trevorfox3759 Před 2 lety +4

    Yesssss! Finally my favorite mode!

  • @vincentcuendet3880
    @vincentcuendet3880 Před 10 měsíci

    You explain exactly as a way understandable for all and this is a good job
    Thank you

  • @holly-leedickson6414
    @holly-leedickson6414 Před rokem

    Wow your piece at the end ended up so pretty. I think it’s the most pretty one you’ve shared (that I’ve seen so far anyway) I’m definitely enjoying your engaging and informative music theory. I haven’t studied music since school a long time ago and I never really got very good at any instruments but I have always wanted to get back into music and especially song writing. I think I would have been pretty good at it if I was able stick to anything properly. Anywho, for now I’m finding you content both intellectually stimulating but simultaneously relaxing and am using them to wind down of an evening and music theory my way to sleep. So thanks for sharing.

  • @SoleaGalilei
    @SoleaGalilei Před 2 lety +12

    Based on this video, I have to assume that Radiohead haven't got any Lydian songs at all!

    • @cullenbrownmusic
      @cullenbrownmusic Před 2 lety +1

      @@nathanwilson2053 airbags intro is in friggian.
      not sure about the rest of the song
      im sure radiohead has many lydian songs

  • @danielhall144
    @danielhall144 Před 2 lety +55

    The Police, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” Sting uses G Lydian in the bass line from the intro and verses. While Andy Summers walks up the Lydian Scale.

    • @GCKuss23
      @GCKuss23 Před 2 lety

      Very cool example, as it also resolves to D major in the chorus, thereby resolving to its Ionic parallel scale

    • @cullenbrownmusic
      @cullenbrownmusic Před 2 lety +4

      stop acting smart cuz you watched one rick beato video😂
      jk. it is cool

    • @mikebehrend3152
      @mikebehrend3152 Před 2 lety +1

      @@cullenbrownmusic lol

    • @gthobaben
      @gthobaben Před 2 lety

      Definitely feel this one in D the whole time. To my ears it’s basically just IV-V over and over again. G-A-G/B-A/C# etc until D. But the Lydian sound is totally there and is probably why I love this song so much. Also throws in some bVI and bVII stuff for kicks too. Basically all my favorite harmonic ingredients.

  • @secondsolstice8695
    @secondsolstice8695 Před 2 lety

    I'm glad you specifically addressed the ambiguity between the lydian tonic and the flat6 of its counterpart minor scale. Many times I don't feel like those songs are really in lydian mode (save for John Williams and some classic examples) but only orbit around b6 and b7 in the minor scale even when they don't resolve in the tonic. Great video!

  • @sakemmat
    @sakemmat Před 2 lety +1

    I absolutely Love your channel David! You're so thorough and yet your teaching is easy to digest. Thumbs up for you bro.
    Greetings from Finland 🙂

    • @byronrobbins8834
      @byronrobbins8834 Před 4 měsíci

      You might wish to paint in the "Key of A Lydian" sound.

  • @stefanlewszuk5359
    @stefanlewszuk5359 Před 2 lety +51

    Is it bad that when I saw Yoda in the thumbnail, I thought it was going to be BadLipReadings "Seagulls stop it now" song?

    • @soozafone
      @soozafone Před 2 lety +2

      I thought the same thing and then worked out that Seagulls is in mixolydian. I think.

    • @Steveofthejungle8
      @Steveofthejungle8 Před 2 lety

      Hahahaha you’re not the only one

    • @captbuscemi
      @captbuscemi Před 2 lety

      Someday, when you are older...

  • @tymime
    @tymime Před 2 lety +7

    Lydian can be tricky to use, for sure. I like using it for a dreamy, floaty feel.

    • @kodowdus
      @kodowdus Před 2 lety

      If you're referring to the Lydian "scale" (as opposed to Lydian harmonic structure), it's ubiquitous in certain forms of jazz for interesting reasons:
      www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/composers-musical-theories-influenced-miles-davis-john-coltrane/article1200767/

  • @douglasmason6067
    @douglasmason6067 Před 2 lety

    This video is one of your best! I especially like playing the tonic note for the target key during key transitions. I would love to see (hear?) you do that technique with more key modulations. As a composer it is always a challenge to me to hear both tonics when you modulate and would love to see that aspect explored with your excellent storytelling skills!

  • @EllieVelli
    @EllieVelli Před 2 měsíci

    I was listening to the song “P*rn Star Dancing” by My Darkest Days” and the hook felt so interesting. Comes to find out it slides into Lydian mode. Would not have understood what was happening without this video.