858 / 18210 · Module 18 — Scales and Modes for Improvisation: What to Use, When, and Why← prev⊞ allnext →
18.37When should you use Lydian?
Not every Cmaj7 demands C Lydian.
In a clear C-major ii–V–I:
Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7
C Ionian may be perfectly appropriate because the key is clearly C.
Lydian is particularly useful when a major chord has a #11 sound or behaves as a more independent color.
Context first.