A♭ Lydian Scale
The A♭ Lydian scale is the 4th mode of the E♭ major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised 4th degree.
This page covers everything you need to know about the A♭ Lydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
A♭ Lydian Scale Notes
The A♭ Lydian scale contains the following notes:
A♭ – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F – GThese notes come directly from the E♭ major parent scale, starting on its 4th degree (A♭).
A♭ Lydian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A♭ Lydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
A♭ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Lydian scale is:
W – W – H – W – W – W – HApplied to A♭, this gives us:
- A♭ → B♭
- B♭ → C
- C → D
- D → E♭
- E♭ → F
- F → G
- G → A♭
Thus, A♭ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (A♭)
- Major 2nd (B♭)
- Major 3rd (C)
- Augmented 4th (D)
- Perfect 5th (E♭)
- Major 6th (F)
- Major 7th (G)
This structure gives the Lydian mode its characteristic brightness, largely due to the distinctive augmented 4th.
Chords in the Key of A♭ Lydian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♭ Lydian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- A♭ major (I)
- B♭ major (II)
- C minor (iii)
- D diminished (iv°)
- E♭ major (V)
- F minor (vi)
- G minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in A♭ Lydian, you may also like:
- A♭ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
- B♭ Mixolydian
- E♭ major (parent scale)
A♭ Lydian Scale FAQs
How is A♭ Lydian different from A♭ major?
A♭ Lydian has a raised 4th (D) while A♭ major has a perfect 4th (D♭). Aside from this difference, the two scales share the same notes.
What is the parent scale of A♭ Lydian?
E♭ major. A♭ Lydian uses the same notes as E♭ major, but starts on its 4th degree (A♭).
Summary: A♭ Lydian Scale
- Notes: A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G
- Mode: 4th mode of E♭ major
- Formula: W, W, H, W, W, W, H