STRINGSCALES

A♭ lydian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11

A string: Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

D string: D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12

G string: G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

B string: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

High E string: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11

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Ab lydian

The lydian mode is a major scale with a raised 4th, the fourth mode of the major key a fifth below. Removing the one note that pulled toward resolution leaves it floating and weightless, the classic film score and dream sequence sound, and a favorite of guitarists like Vai and Satriani. Over a major 7th chord the #4 turns a plain arpeggio line into something modern.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A♭

I

A♭maj
B♭

II

B♭maj
C

iii

Cm
D

#iv°

Ddim
E♭

V

E♭maj
F

vi

Fm
G

vii

Gm

Characteristic note: D (#4), the raised fourth that gives lydian its floating sound.

Same notes, different mode

Ab lydian uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

Bb mixolydianC minor · relative minorD locrianEb major · relative majorF dorianG phrygian

lydian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Float the raised 4th (D) over a plain Ab major chord; hold it rather than resolving it, since that suspension is the lydian sound.
  • Avoid the perfect 4th entirely: every time a major-scale habit reaches for (Db), play #IV (D) instead and the line turns cinematic.
  • Vamp two major chords a whole step apart (I and II in Ab lydian) to establish the mode without a bass player.
  • Target chord tones of a maj7#11 arpeggio: root, the 3rd (C), the raised 4th (D) and the 7th (G); the #11 sits right inside the arpeggio in this mode.

How to play A♭ lydian on guitar

Open D lands on the raised fourth, so the defining tone is one unfretted string away. Open G adds the major seventh, which means two strings ring in key before the left hand does anything. G string fret 1 holds a root and D string fret 6 the next. Capo fret 1 turns G lydian fingerings into this key, so nut-position material carries straight over. Box one gives out at fret 8.

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