stringery

E♭ lydian

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

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position2 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. E♭RW
  2. F2W
  3. G3W
  4. A♯4H
  5. B♭5W
  6. C6W
  7. D7H

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 neckE♭ lydian

12345GCEA5710123♯4567R2367R23♯45623♯4567R♯4567R23♯4
12345GCEA5710123♯4567R2367R23♯45623♯4567R♯4567R23♯4

Position 2 is outlined, frets 3 to 6. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The E♭ lydian key

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

  1. E♭I
  2. FII
  3. Gmiii
  4. Adimiv°
  5. B♭V
  6. Cmvi
  7. Dmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • B♭ major

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

  • G minor

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

  • C dorian

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

  • F mixolydian

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

  • D phrygian

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