stringery

A♭ lydian

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

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position4 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. A♭RW
  2. B♭2W
  3. C3W
  4. D♯4H
  5. E♭5W
  6. F6W
  7. G7H

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 neckA♭ lydian

12345GCEA5710127R23♯45673♯4567R2367R23♯4523♯4567R
12345GCEA5710127R23♯45673♯4567R2367R23♯4523♯4567R

Position 4 is outlined, frets 8 to 11. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The A♭ lydian key

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

  1. A♭I
  2. B♭II
  3. Cmiii
  4. Ddimiv°
  5. E♭V
  6. Fmvi
  7. Gmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • E♭ major

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

  • C minor

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

  • F dorian

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

  • B♭ mixolydian

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

  • G phrygian

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