Gb 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
- Gb Lydian
- Family
- Diatonic modes
- Note count
- 7
- Step formula
- W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Notes & degrees
1Gbroot
2Abmajor 2nd
3Bbmajor 3rd
#4Caug 4th
5Dbperfect 5th
6Ebmajor 6th
7Fmajor 7th
Characteristic degrees
IVCraised 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
- GbWAbWBbWCHDbWEbWF
- Reference mode
- Gb Ionian
Gb Ionian
IGb
IIAb
IIIBb
IVCb
VDb
VIEb
VIIF
Gb Lydian
IGb
IIAb
IIIBb
IVC
VDb
VIEb
VIIF
How the mode is built
- Position in the system
- Degree 4 of the parent major scale
- Parent scale
- C# majorLydian mode — degree 4 of the scale
- Parallel major
- Gb majormajor from the same tonic
Sibling modes
Chords by degree
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IGbpoint of resttonic
IIIBbdefines modal qualitythird
VDbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIFF
IGbGb
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IGbGb
IIAbAb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This mode on guitar 🎸
See how Gb 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.