Lydian — a Pro(gressive) tonality and regular diatonic heptatonality
Harmonic visuals
Scale and sound samples
You may enjoy a sound sample or tonality loop as sound mantra for contemplation or meditation, for upliftment and focusing, or simply as soothing background sound for relaxation and regeneration.
Characteristics
- Diatonic tonality matrix: The octave includes five whole steps and two half steps (or semitones). Either two or three consecutive whole steps, a pair and a trio, alternate in separating the two individual half steps from each other.
- Step pattern: Ascending from the fundamental (tonic or Do), Lydian begins with the trio of whole steps, followed by a half step. Then comes the pair of whole steps, before the remaining half step leads up to the octave.
- Scale intervals: Major second, major third, tritone, quint, major sixth, and major seventh.
- Penta- and tetrachords: The lower pentachord is Lydian and the upper tetrachord is IonLydian.
- Harmonic axes: There is one axis, which is vertical, S-N.
- Primary harmonic anchors: The fundamental or North anchor is incomplete due to the missing Quart, i.e. its left leg is missing. The West anchor is fully present. The contrast or South anchor is incomplete having its head and its left leg only. The West anchor is completely absent.
- Secondary harmonic anchors: Four secondary anchors are present: EN, ES, SW, and NW. All of them emphasize the West anchor. Two of them give some more weight to the only partially present fundamental or North anchor and the quint. The other two strengthen the contrast or South anchor.
- Tritone and missing quart: The presence of the tritone and absence of the quart increase the harmonic importance to the quint. This creates the distinct Lydian flavor and emphasizes its gentle though intense progressive quality and airy major feeling.
- Piano keyboard reference: Lydian corresponds to the white keys with F as fundamental.
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