stringery

D♭ lydian

Major with a raised 4th: film scores and dream pop. Major 7 family

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position4 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the sharp 4th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. D♭RW
  2. E♭2W
  3. F3W
  4. G♯4H
  5. A♭5W
  6. B♭6W
  7. C7H

The sharp 4th lifts the most stable-sounding note of the major scale, so the whole scale seems to hover.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckD♭ lydian

12345EADGBE357912153♯4567R23♯467R23♯456723♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R3♯4567R23♯4
12345EADGBE357912153♯4567R23♯467R23♯456723♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R3♯4567R23♯4

Position 4 is outlined, frets 8 to 12. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The D♭ lydian key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. D♭I
  2. E♭II
  3. Fmiii
  4. Gdimiv°
  5. A♭V
  6. B♭mvi
  7. Cmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • A♭ major

    Same notes, but home is A♭: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • F minor

    Same notes, but home is F: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • B♭ dorian

    Same notes, but home is B♭: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • E♭ mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is E♭: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • C phrygian

    Same notes, but home is C: dark, spanish, menacing.