Lydian mode - lesson 2

A Lydian and Rock style - backing track lesson.
The Lydian mode is sometimes used in rock genres. This lesson demonstrates how the A Lydian can be used for lead playing over a progression based on the A Lydian as well. The diagram below shows a complete fretboard.

The A Lydian scale (see presented diagram) can be used over the whole jam track since the notes belonging to the scale matches all chords in the progression. An alternative is to use A Major over the A chords and A Lydian over the B chords. This will introduce a new note (D#) with an effect.
A Lydian works well over the chord progressions A - A5 - B/A - Bsus4/A because 1) the chord and scale notes are matching (A Major scale doesn't match the B/A chord, 2) A is the tonal center in the progression. The progression (see below) includes 24 bars with an AAA structure and is repeated three times.
See additional instructions below.

A Lydian jam track

A Lydian scale with note letters diagram

Jam track info

Title: "Rootsy Alt Rock"
Instruments: Bass, drums and rhythm guitar
Chords: A, A5, B, Bsus4/A
Progression:

A A A5 A5
B/A B/A Bsus4/A Bsus4/A
A A A5 A5
B/A B/A Bsus4/A Bsus4/A
A A A5 A5
B/A B/A Bsus4/A Bsus4/A

Tempo: 100 BPM (1 bar = 2.4 seconds)

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Lesson goals

To be able to use the Lydian mode as a tool for lead playing in the rock genre and in overall increase the understanding of relationships between chords and notes in a Lydian mode context.

Additional instructions

Notice that D# is a target note for the B/A chord, but also that it will bring some dissonance together with A and A5.
For finding melodies, try using only the three highest strings. For a heavier sound, try using two lower strings. Both E- and A-strings can be played open and, for example, in conjunction with legato techniques.

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