STRINGSCALES

D♭ lydian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

A string: Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11

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

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

B string: C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

High E string: F, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11

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Db 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:

D♭

I

D♭maj
E♭

II

E♭maj
F

iii

Fm
G

#iv°

Gdim
A♭

V

A♭maj
B♭

vi

B♭m
C

vii

Cm

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

Same notes, different mode

Db 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.

Eb mixolydianF minor · relative minorG locrianAb major · relative majorBb dorianC phrygian

lydian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Float the raised 4th (G) over a plain Db 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 (Gb), play #IV (G) instead and the line turns cinematic.
  • Vamp two major chords a whole step apart (I and II in Db lydian) to establish the mode without a bass player.
  • Target chord tones of a maj7#11 arpeggio: root, the 3rd (F), the raised 4th (G) and the 7th (C); the #11 sits right inside the arpeggio in this mode.

How to play D♭ lydian on guitar

Capo fret 1 puts C lydian fingerings in this key, so familiar shapes cover it without new learning. Open G is the sole open string in play, and it lands on the raised fourth, which means the defining tone is the one you can ring for free. Low E fret 9 is the deepest root, with B string fret 2 higher up the set. EbM sits as the II chord, so a major two chord is what you vamp against. Fret 13 closes the opening position.

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