E♭ Lydian Scale

The E♭ Lydian scale is the fourth mode of the B♭ major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised fourth degree.

This page covers everything you need to know about the E♭ Lydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

E♭ Lydian Scale Notes

The E♭ Lydian mode contains the following notes:

E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – C – D

These notes come directly from the B♭ major parent scale, starting on its 4th degree (E♭).

E♭ Lydian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the E♭ Lydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and characteristic tones such as the augmented 4th (A), which gives this scale its signature sound.

E♭ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Lydian mode is:

Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half

Applied to E♭, this gives us:

E♭ → F
F → G
G → A
A → B♭
B♭ → C
C → D
D → E♭

Thus, E♭ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:

Root (E♭)
Major 2nd (F)
Major 3rd (G)
Augmented 4th (A)
Perfect 5th (B♭)
Major 6th (C)
Major 7th (D)

This structure gives the Lydian mode its characteristic brightness, due to the distinctive augmented 4th.

Chords in the Key of E♭ Lydian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the E♭ Lydian scale, the following diatonic chords emerge:

E♭ major (I)
F major (II)
G minor (iii)
A diminished (iv°)
B♭ major (V)
C minor (vi)
D minor (vii)

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy the sound of E♭ Lydian, you may also like:

E♭ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
F Mixolydian
B♭ Major (parent scale)

E♭ Lydian Scale FAQs

How is E♭ Lydian different from E♭ major?

E♭ Lydian has a raised 4th (A) while E♭ major has a perfect 4th (A♭). Otherwise, the two scales are identical.

What is the parent scale of E♭ Lydian?

B♭ major. E♭ Lydian uses the same notes as B♭ major, but starts on its fourth degree (E♭).

Summary: E♭ Lydian Scale

Notes: E♭, F, G, A, B♭, C, D
Mode: 4th mode of B♭ major
Formula: W, W, H, W, W, W, H