Ab Lydian Step by Step
Learn the Ab Lydian scale as Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F and G. Only the D natural is raised compared with Ab major, and it is the note to listen for.
Find the root on the 4th fret of the low E string, or on the 11th fret of the A string for a higher voicing. Ab Lydian is Eb major started from its fourth note, so the shapes slide up and down exactly as in any other key. A look at how modes work on guitar places it in context.
Play the Ab lydian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the Ab lydian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ab | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Bb | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| C | 3 | Major 3rd | 4 |
| D | #4 | Tritone | 6 |
| Eb | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| F | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| G | 7 | Major 7th | 11 |
Structure
Ab lydian scale notes:
How the lydian scale is built:
The lydian scale is built from the degrees 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7, which gives the step pattern W-W-W-H-W-W-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is mode 4 of the Major Scale, so both scales share the same notes from a different starting point.
Ab Lydian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (G)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the Ab lydian scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Related modes
These scales share the same notes as the lydian scale, starting from a different degree.
The lydian scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
