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B♭ lydian scale on bass guitar
B♭ lydian is B♭, C, D, E, F, G, A. Its raised fourth gives bass lines a bright, floating quality over major chords.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ lydian scale on bass?
B♭ lydian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ lydian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 9 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ lydian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 7, 8 | A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 8–10
B♭ lydian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B♭ lydian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G on the G string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ lydian is B♭ major with the fourth raised from E♭ to E. The ♯4 creates a diminished fifth from the root, which is the scale's tritone. This alteration gives the scale its characteristic brightness and is the defining difference from B♭ major.
When to use it
Use B♭ lydian over B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords when you want a brighter, more open sound than the plain major scale. It also works over the IV chord in F major progressions, where the raised fourth is a natural chord tone.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the third string and covers frets 0–3, making it easy to connect to the open strings and move into Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ lydian?
B♭ lydian contains B♭, C, D, E, F, G, and A. The E is the raised fourth that distinguishes it from B♭ major. The scale has two flats in its key signature. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ lydian fit?
B♭ lydian fits B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords. It also works over F major as the IV chord. The raised fourth is the characteristic note that gives the scale its lydian sound.
What is the difference between B♭ lydian and B♭ major?
B♭ lydian raises the fourth degree from E♭ to E. This creates a diminished fifth from the root, which is the scale's tritone. The raised fourth gives the scale its bright, floating quality.