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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[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.

[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"

[lughlongarm]

What I love about Rick Beato is his approach to this whole YouTube thing. He doesn’t do “lessons”—which is not to say that lessons are a bad thing, they’re just limited in many ways, and Rick’s scope is much greater. Rick’s approach is less that of a teacher and more of a mentor. He’s not teaching us what the “correct” way to understand or look at music is. It feels more like someone who does indeed have a great deal of expertise just kind of hanging around, sharing observations and insight, and it all comes straight from a place of tangible passion. He doesn’t teach what to think but how, and I think it really speaks for itself.

[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.

[renj]

Man. I first got into your videos cuz I shared your passionate dislike for cycle of 4 chords. But while I'd like to think of myself as just another classically trained casual musician, I find myself learning more from you, and with examples that stretch beyond the classical world - going into film, jazz, pop, and with lots of these music concepts applied there. I like how you make learning advanced music theory something much less of a chore, but something that comes alive.

This video earned my subscribe.

[TimV]

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.

[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!

[samirkshirsagar]

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

[PastorB]

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!

[photoguy]

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.

[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...

[TheLegendsNJ]

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

[cursedbe]

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).

[saeedasl]

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.

[bran]

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.

[zzzyzzzyzzzyxxx]

Honorable mention: The Simpsons theme - lydian dominant.

[fivewattworld]

I love that you’re giving us a new Video on each of the modes. After three years it’s time for a bit of review! Thanks Hypes! Great stuff.

[getbackval]

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

[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.

[ethanelseth]

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