F♭ Lydian Scale

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

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

F♭ Lydian Scale Notes

The F♭ Lydian mode contains the following notes:

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

F♭ Lydian Piano Diagram

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

F♭ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Lydian mode is:

Applied to F♭, this gives us:

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

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

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

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

Chords in the Key of F♭ Lydian

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

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

Related Scales and Modes

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

• F♭ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
• G♭ Mixolydian
• C♭ Major (parent scale)

F♭ Lydian Scale FAQs

How is F♭ Lydian different from F♭ major?

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

What is the parent scale of F♭ Lydian?

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

Summary: F♭ Lydian Scale

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