STRINGSCALES

D♭ lydian diminished Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: Fb, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

A string: Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb, G, Ab at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11

D string: Eb, Fb, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db at frets 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11

G string: G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb, G at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12

B string: C, Db, Eb, Fb, G, Ab, Bb at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11

High E string: Fb, G, Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

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Db lydian diminished

The lydian diminished scale, the fourth mode of the harmonic major scale, crosses lydian's raised 4th with a minor 3rd. The result outlines a minor chord with a #11 and major 7th available, an ambiguous, film-noir color. It rewards slow playing that lets the b3 against #4 tension speak.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

D♭

i

D♭m
E♭

II

E♭maj
F♭

bIII+

F♭aug
G

#iv°

Gdim
A♭

V

A♭maj
B♭

vi°

B♭dim
C

vii

Cm

Same notes, different mode

Db lydian diminished 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.

Ab harmonic major

lydian diminished in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Hold the minor 3rd (E) against the raised 4th (G): the film-noir rub at the heart of Db lydian diminished.
  • Use it over a m(maj7) chord with a #11, or over diminished harmony that needs a lyrical top line.
  • As harmonic major's fourth mode it shares notes with the harmonic major a 4th below Db; recycle those fingerings.
  • Play it slowly: this scale rewards sustained tones and voice-leading more than runs.

How to play D♭ lydian diminished on guitar

Both E strings ring Fb, a minor third above the tonic, and open G adds the augmented fourth, so two colours of the key are available unfretted. Capo at fret 1 and it becomes C, which lets you finger a five-flat key with familiar shapes. Roots begin at fret 2 on the B string and top out at fret 11 on the D. Lowest sits at fret 9.

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