Key
Chords in D Lydian
D Lydian is built from the notes D, E, F#, G#, A, B and C#. Its scale carries 3 sharps. Harmonising that scale in thirds gives seven chords — 3 majors, 3 minors and 1 diminished — starting on D as the I. The chord on the fifth degree is A, a major V, so D Lydian has the leading tone that makes a A-to-D cadence sound final.
Beyond those seven, D Lydian commonly borrows Dm (i), Edim (iiø), F (bIII), Gm (iv) and Am (v) from the parallel minor — the mixture chords that give a progression somewhere unexpected to go.
The seven chords
Extended to four notes each, the same seven degrees give Dmaj7, E7, F#m7, G#m7b5, Amaj7, Bm7, C#m7.
Borrowed chords
Capo 2 and play C Lydian shapes to sound D Lydian.
All eight capo positions for D Lydian →