About the A flat Lydian Diminished scale
A flat Lydian Diminished is used for jazz solos and film cues that want tension. Think of it as a Lydian scale with a minor third, another raised-fourth minor color. It is A♭ Lydian with the third lowered.
Its notes are A♭, B♭, C♭, D, E♭, F, and G. The formula is W H 1½ H W W H. It is the fourth mode of E♭ Harmonic Major.
Also called Lydian ♭3 and Lydian Minor.
The scale draws three black keys from the piano, A♭, B♭, and E♭. Its raised fourth lands on the white key D.
Chords in the key of A flat Lydian Diminished
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
Position 2 of 3
A flat minor over C flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
B flat over D (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
C flat augmented over E flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
D diminished over F (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
E flat over G (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
F diminished over A flat (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
G minor over B flat (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in A flat Lydian Diminished
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
A flat minor major seven
B flat seven
C flat major seven sharp five
D diminished seven
E flat major seven
F minor seven flat five
G minor seven
Progressions in A flat Lydian Diminished
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AbA♭ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | BbB♭ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | CbC♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | DD | Augmented 4th |
| 5 | EbE♭ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | FF | Major 6th |
| 7 | GG | Major 7th |
| Steps | W H 1½ H W W H |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-1-3-1-2-2-1 |
| Degrees | 1 2 ♭3 ♯4 5 6 7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | A flat | B flat | C flat | D | E flat | F | G | A flat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Lydian Diminished in other keys
C Lydian Diminished scaleD flat Lydian Diminished scaleD Lydian Diminished scaleE flat Lydian Diminished scaleE Lydian Diminished scaleF Lydian Diminished scaleG flat Lydian Diminished scaleG Lydian Diminished scaleA Lydian Diminished scaleB flat Lydian Diminished scaleB Lydian Diminished scale
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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