D♭ Lydian Augmented scale

The D♭ Lydian Augmented scale is a 7-note lydian augmented scale built on the root D♭. Its notes are D♭, E♭, F, G, A, B♭ and C. Third mode of melodic minor — Lydian with a raised fifth, dreamy and otherworldly. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make D♭ Lydian Augmented a great tool for improvising and composing.

Short answer

Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments. Built on the root D♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where D♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.

Notes
D♭ · E♭ · F · G · A · B♭ · C
Formula
1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M
Step pattern
W W W W H W H
Tonic
D♭

D♭ Lydian Augmented on the piano

Show:
Piano keyboard highlighting the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale notesCFGACFGAD♭E♭B♭D♭E♭B♭D♭ Lydian Augmented - D♭ · E♭ · F · G · A · B♭ · C

D♭ Lydian Augmented on the guitar

Show:
Position:
Guitar fretboard highlighting the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale noteseBGDAEFGAB♭CD♭E♭CD♭E♭FGAB♭GAB♭CD♭E♭FGE♭FGAB♭CD♭AB♭CD♭E♭FGAFGAB♭CD♭E♭D♭ Lydian Augmented - fr 012

D♭ Lydian Augmented on the staff

Hear the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale

D♭ Lydian Augmented
D♭ · E♭ · F · G · A · B♭ · C
D♭E♭FGAB♭C

Improvisation drone

Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.

D♭ Lydian Augmented
D♭

Notes of the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale

DegreeIntervalSemitonesNoteHear
11P0D♭(Db)
22M2E♭(Eb)
33M4F
44A6G
55A8A
66M9B♭(Bb)
77M11C

Diatonic chords of D♭ Lydian Augmented

These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.

How to use the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale

The diatonic chords of D♭ Lydian Augmented are: I+ = D♭+, II = E♭, III = F, iv° = G°, v° = A°, vi = B♭m, vii = Cm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D♭ Lydian Augmented. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.

Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments.

Practice tips

Target the raised fifth (♯5) over a major-7♯5 chord to lock in the lydian augmented sound. Try arpeggiating the I and III chords — both are augmented triads — to hear how unstable the scale is.

Where you will hear D♭ Lydian Augmented

D♭ Lydian Augmented appears throughout lydian augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. the raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.

Formula & step pattern

Formula
1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M
Step pattern
W - W - W - W - H - W - H

The D♭ Lydian Augmented scale follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7). Step pattern: W - W - W - W - H - W - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.

Questions people ask

What notes are in the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale?
The D♭ Lydian Augmented scale contains D♭, E♭, F, G, A, B♭ and C.
What is the formula for the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale?
D♭ Lydian Augmented follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7).
Is D♭ Lydian Augmented a major or minor scale?
D♭ Lydian Augmented is a lydian augmented scale. Third mode of melodic minor — Lydian with a raised fifth, dreamy and otherworldly.
What chords belong to the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale?
The diatonic chords of D♭ Lydian Augmented are D♭+, E♭, F, G°, A°, B♭m, Cm.
Which genres use D♭ Lydian Augmented?
Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments.
How do I practise the D♭ Lydian Augmented scale?
Target the raised fifth (♯5) over a major-7♯5 chord to lock in the lydian augmented sound. Try arpeggiating the I and III chords — both are augmented triads — to hear how unstable the scale is.