Modes question...

matty42

This isn't specifically a Gypsy Jazz question, but I was hoping to sneak it in...! I have recentley begun working out of the book "Jazz guitar single note soloing Vol. 1" by Ted Greene. An early example in the book is of the 'D' Lydian mode. As given the scales are:
D Major: D E F# G A B C# D
D Lydian: D E F# G# A B C# D

My confusion is this: By definition the Lydian mode is the Major scale with an augmented fourth. This fits correctly with the example given. The Lydian scale shown here could also be interpreted as the 'A' Major scale (A B C# D E F# G# A), built off the fifth degree of the 'D' Major scale. But from what I have read the Lydian is the FOURTH degree mode: 1- Ionian 2- Dorian 3- Phrygian 4- Lydian.

I also found an "interval definition" that defines the Lydian as:
whole step - whole step - whole step- half step - whole step - whole step - half step.
This also agrees with the example in the Ted Greene book.

So there seems to be a contradiction here, or something I am not understanding. Now, before someone says it, I know playing isn't all about scales and modes and the like, but I'm learning and I enjoy trying to solve a riddle!

dennis

d lydian is built off the FOURTH degree of the A major scale and not the FIFTH degree of the D major scale

Duozona

Basically, there are three ways of understanding modes:

1. Build the scale-
structure for Lydian is WWWHWWH
D Lydian=D E F# G# A B C# D

2. Alter the scale-
Lydian is Major with a #4
D Major=D E F# G A B C# D, so D Lydian raises the G to G#

3. Rotate the scale-
Lydian is the 4th mode of Major
so, what major scale has the note D as the 4th degree
A Major=A B C# D E F# G# A, so the Lydian mode starts on D

All roads lead to the same answer. Personally I always found alteration to be most useful and comparative, I can 'hear' the modes when used that way. For example, comp a Dmaj7 harmony, and create some melody using D Major, then D Lydian.

Another cool application is to see what cool tonic chords can be built form each mode, so the D Lydian gives you the DMaj#11 chord, D F# A C# E G#, try the voicing starting on the fifth string=D F# C# E G#

Hope this helps

-Chuck

Elliot

I have that book, and now that I broke it out again, the Min 7th section looks pretty good to me, with the little that I know...

matty42

Thanks for the replies! After making my post, I continued to ponder my question and I figured something out. I was kind of over thinking things I think. The 'D' Lydain was being being presented as just that, a 'D' scale with a rasied fourth, not what the Lydian mode would be based on the key of 'D' scale degree wise. Also, I realized that the 'D' lydian would be the fourth degree of 'A' Major, so I was sort of looking at it backwards.

Jazzaferri

D Lydian has 3 sharps in the key signature ..... the 2 sharps of d major plus the sharp 4 G#

Which major scale has the key signature of3 sharps? A major