A Lydian ♭3 scale
The A Lydian ♭3 scale is made of the notes A, B, C, D♯, E, F♯, G♯. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 ♭3 ♯4 5 6 7.
Modes of the harmonic major · 7 notes
- 1A
- 2B
- ♭3C
- ♯4D♯
- 5E
- 6F♯
- 7G♯
PatternW – H – W+H – H – W – W – H(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the harmonic major: less common colours, for half-diminished, diminished and 7♭9 dominant chords. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The fourth mode of the harmonic major: a Lydian scale with a minor 3rd, that is a melodic minor with an augmented 4th. It is used over the minor chord with a major 7th and a ♯11.
The A Lydian ♭3 scale is mode 4 of the E harmonic major scale: the same notes, starting from degree 4. E harmonic major scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the A Lydian ♭3 scale?
- The notes are A, B, C, D♯, E, F♯, G♯.
- What is the pattern of the A Lydian ♭3 scale?
- The sequence of steps is W – H – W+H – H – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 ♯4 5 6 7.
- Which scale is the A Lydian ♭3 scale a mode of?
- It is mode 4 of the E harmonic major scale.
- Which chords is the A Lydian ♭3 scale used over?
- It is used over Adim7, Am(maj7), Am6: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.