STRINGSCALES

E♭ lydian Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

G string: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

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

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

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Eb 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:

E♭

I

E♭maj
F

II

Fmaj
G

iii

Gm
A

#iv°

Adim
B♭

V

B♭maj
C

vi

Cm
D

vii

Dm

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

Same notes, different mode

Eb 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.

F mixolydianG minor · relative minorA locrianBb major · relative majorC dorianD phrygian

lydian in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

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

How to play E♭ lydian on guitar

Open A is the raised fourth here, so the tone that names the mode rings without being fretted. Open D and open G add the major seventh plus the major third, which means three strings sustain under a fretted line. D string fret 1 puts a root near the nut, and G string fret 8 repeats it. Capo fret 1 makes D lydian shapes land here, so the open-position version is one clamp away. Shape one closes at fret 15.

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