Key
Chords in E Lydian
E Lydian is built from the notes E, F#, G#, A#, B, C# and D#. Its scale carries 5 sharps. Harmonising that scale in thirds gives seven chords — 3 majors, 3 minors and 1 diminished — starting on E as the I. The chord on the fifth degree is B, a major V, so E Lydian has the leading tone that makes a B-to-E cadence sound final.
Beyond those seven, E Lydian commonly borrows Em (i), F#dim (iiø), G (bIII), Am (iv) and Bm (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 Emaj7, F#7, G#m7, A#m7b5, Bmaj7, C#m7, D#m7.
Borrowed chords
Capo 4 and play C Lydian shapes to sound E Lydian.
All eight capo positions for E Lydian →