Interactive piano keyboard showing Ab Lydian scale degrees. Click highlighted keys to play.
A♭ lydian (A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G) has three flats in its key signature and its raised 4th (D natural) creates a warm, floating quality. It is used in jazz and film scoring over A♭maj7♯11 chords for its lush, dreamy character. A♭ lydian has a cinematic, sophisticated sound that suits ballads and orchestral writing.
The raised 4th is Lydian’s only difference from major, but it transforms the sound completely — creating a dreamy, floating quality where nothing feels like it needs to resolve. The augmented 4th gives an ethereal brightness unlike any other mode.
The seven diatonic modes — parallel modes starting from the same root with different interval patterns. Each mode has a unique character derived from the major scale.
The diatonic chords in Ab Lydian are: Ab, Bb, Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Lydian?
A♭ lydian (A♭, B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G) has three flats in its key signature and its raised 4th (D natural) creates a warm, floating quality. It is used in jazz and film scoring over A♭maj7♯11 chords for its lush, dreamy character. A♭ lydian has a cinematic, sophisticated sound that suits ballads and orchestral writing.
What notes are in the Ab Lydian?
The Ab Lydian contains the notes: Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G. This is a 7-note scale starting from Ab.
How many chords does the Ab Lydian have?
The Ab Lydian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Ab, Bb, Cm, Ddim, Eb, Fm, Gm.
What is the formula for the Lydian?
The Lydian follows the interval formula: W-W-W-H-W-W-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
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Position in circle of fifths
Ab is at the 8 o'clock position. Related keys: Eb (dominant), C# (subdominant), F (relative minor), Bb (supertonic), F# (subtonic).