A flat Lydian scale on piano
The A flat Lydian scale on piano has 7 notes: A flat, B flat, C, D, E flat, F, and G (A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G). It uses 3 black keys: A♭, B♭, E♭.
- A♭ A flat 1
- B♭ B flat 2
- C 3
- D ♯4
- E♭ E flat 5
- F 6
- G 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (A♭) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the A flat Lydian scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- A♭
- W
- B♭
- W
- C
- W
- D
- H
- E♭
- W
- F
- W
- G
- H
- A♭
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – W – W – H – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the Lydian scale
A major mode with a raised 4th. Dreamy and "floating", common in film scores.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord |
|---|---|---|
| I | A♭ | A♭7M |
| II | B♭ | B♭7 |
| IIIm | Cm | Cm7 |
| IV° | D° | Dm7(b5) |
| V | E♭ | E♭7M |
| VIm | Fm | Fm7 |
| VIIm | Gm | Gm7 |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
More A flat scales
- Major
- Natural minor (G♯)
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic (G♯)
- Blues (G♯)
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian (G♯)
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian (G♯)
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant (G♯)
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half) (G♯)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Lydian in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the A flat Lydian scale?
The notes of the A flat Lydian scale are A flat, B flat, C, D, E flat, F, and G. It uses 3 black keys: A♭, B♭, E♭.
What is the formula of the A flat Lydian scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – W – W – H – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the A flat Lydian scale?
The chords of the key are A♭, B♭, Cm, D°, E♭, Fm, Gm. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.