Lydian mode - lesson 1

C Lydian and Metal style - backing track lesson.
The Lydian mode is often used in the heavy metal genre. This lesson demonstrates how the C Lydian can be used for lead playing over a progression based on the C Lydian as well. The diagram below shows a complete fretboard.

The C 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.
Of course, just playing through the scale at random won't make a tremendous solo. One step to make it sound great is to use target notes by choosing notes from the scale depending on which chords are played. For example, when the progression changes to D/C, one of the possible target notes are F# (the 3rd of D major chord).
A suggestion is to skip the G note primarily since it isn’t included in several of the chords. Notice also that the F# may sound dissonant (not always bad thing in metal though) over the C, Am and Em9 chords. F# is also the most characteristic note of the C Lydian (the only note that deviates from C Major).
See additional instructions below.

C Lydian jam track

C Lydian scale with note letters diagram

Jam track info

Title: "Chuggin"
Instruments: Bass, synth, drums and rhythm guitar
Chords: C, D/C, Em9, F#m7b5, Am, Am6, Bm/C
Progression:

C D/C C D/C
Cmaj9 Bm/C Am Am6 Bm/C
Cmaj9 Bm/C Am Am6 Bm/C
Em9 F#m7b5 C D/C F#m7b5 C

Tempo: 80 BPM (1 bar = 3 seconds)

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Lesson goals

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

Additional instructions

Another method to keep away from aimlessly hitting the notes of the scale is to omit on or two notes, either for the whole track or from particular phrases.

Instead of relying on the C Lydian scale, arpeggios can be used. This approach could involve C Major arpeggio over the C chord, D Major arpeggio over D/C chord and so on. Arpeggios can be used instead for or combined with the scale.

If you are more familiar with the Minor Pentatonic shapes over the fingerboard, there is an option to use B Pentatonic Minor add C (Bm Pentatonic includes the tones B - D - E - F# - A and to that C is added), instead for C Lydian. Notice that the G tone is only included in two of the chords in the track: C and Em9.

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