Db Lydian
A major diatonic mode with an augmented 4th; a bright sound with tension on degree 4.
Octaves
Musical context
How the mode relates to the scale, chord, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- Db Lydian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Notes & degrees
1Dbroot
2Ebmajor 2nd
3Fmajor 3rd
#4Gaug 4th
5Abperfect 5th
6Bbmajor 6th
7Cmajor 7th
Characteristic degrees
IVGraised 4th degree
Construction
- Overview
- A major diatonic mode with an augmented 4th; a bright sound with tension on degree 4.
- Application in music
- Pairs with major chords carrying a #11 and with pedal points; diatonically it occurs on degree IV of major.
- Interval formula
- DbWEbWFWGHAbWBbWC
- Reference mode
- Db Ionian
Db Ionian
IDb
IIEb
IIIF
IVGb
VAb
VIBb
VIIC
Db Lydian
IDb
IIEb
IIIF
IVG
VAb
VIBb
VIIC
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 4 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- Ab majorLydian mode — degree 4 of the scale
- Parallel major
- Db majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IDbpoint of resttonic
IIIFdefines modal qualitythird
VAbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIICC
IDbDb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IDbDb
IIEbEb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how Db Lydian looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.