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