Eb 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
- Eb Lydian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Notes & degrees
1Ebroot
2Fmajor 2nd
3Gmajor 3rd
#4Aaug 4th
5Bbperfect 5th
6Cmajor 6th
7Dmajor 7th
Characteristic degrees
IVAraised 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
- EbWFWGWAHBbWCWD
- Reference mode
- Eb Ionian
Eb Ionian
IEb
IIF
IIIG
IVAb
VBb
VIC
VIID
Eb Lydian
IEb
IIF
IIIG
IVA
VBb
VIC
VIID
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 4 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- Bb majorLydian mode — degree 4 of the scale
- Parallel major
- Eb majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IEbpoint of resttonic
IIIGdefines modal qualitythird
VBbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIDD
IEbEb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IEbEb
IIFF
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how Eb 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.