Explore scales · Guitar
A♭ lydian scale on guitar
A♭ lydian contains A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, and G. The raised fourth gives it a floating, ethereal quality over A♭ major chords.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the A♭ lydian scale on guitar?
A♭ lydian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to A♭ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the G string at fret 1 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
A♭ lydian in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A♭ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the low E string at fret 4, the D string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 6 | G, A♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ lydian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 13 notes across 6 strings, from B♭ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 6 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ lydian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9, 11 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
A♭ lydian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 17 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13 | B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ lydian is A♭ major with a raised fourth: D replaces D♭. The step pattern is W, W, W, H, W, W, H. Compare with A♭ major to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use A♭ lydian over A♭ major or A♭ 5th chords for a dreamy, open sound. It fits the IV chord in E♭ major progressions and suits jazz ballads and ambient music.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 4, giving a low anchor. That box covers frets 1–4 and sets up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ lydian?
A♭ lydian has A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, and G. The raised fourth is D. It is a major scale with a sharpened fourth degree. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ lydian?
A♭ lydian fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. It also works over the IV chord in E♭ major. The ♯4 adds tension over the tonic.
How is A♭ lydian different from A♭ major?
A♭ lydian raises the fourth degree from D♭ to D. This creates a whole step between the third and fourth. The rest of the notes are identical.