E♭ Lydian Augmented at a glance
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 E♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where E♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | E♭ F G A B C D |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W W W H W H |
| Chords in the key | E♭+FGA°B°CmDm |
Chords in the E♭ Lydian Augmented scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
E♭ Lydian Augmented on the piano
Improvisation drone · E♭
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano E♭ Lydian Augmented uses one black key (E♭) and six white.
E♭ · F · G · A · B · C · D
Play E♭ Lydian Augmented on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
E♭ Lydian Augmented on the guitar
E♭ Lydian Augmented - fr 0–12
E♭ Lydian Augmented on the staff
Notes of the E♭ Lydian Augmented scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E♭ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | F | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | G | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | A | augmented 4th4A | 6 | |
| 5 | B | augmented 5th5A | 8 | |
| 6 | C | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | D | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes E♭ Lydian Augmented different
Lydian augmented is Lydian with a raised fifth, and that ♯5 is the one note separating the two. It's the third mode of melodic minor. Without a perfect fifth its tonic chord is an augmented triad, so the scale fits a maj7♯5 chord. Its first five notes are the same as the whole-tone scale's; only the top of the scale, 6 and 7, breaks the pattern of whole steps. On E♭, E♭ Lydian Augmented has B where E♭ Lydian has B♭; every other note is shared with E♭ Lydian (E♭ F G A B♭ C D).
How to use the E♭ Lydian Augmented scale
The diatonic chords of E♭ Lydian Augmented are: I+ = E♭+, II = F, III = G, iv° = A°, v° = B°, vi = Cm, vii = Dm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in E♭ Lydian Augmented. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own 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.
Formula & step pattern
The E♭ 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.
Where you will hear E♭ Lydian Augmented
Start with the music described above: listen for E♭ Lydian Augmented in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the E♭ Lydian Augmented scale?
The E♭ Lydian Augmented scale contains E♭, F, G, A, B, C and D.
What is the formula for the E♭ Lydian Augmented scale?
E♭ Lydian Augmented follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7).
Is E♭ Lydian Augmented a major or minor scale?
E♭ 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 E♭ Lydian Augmented scale?
The diatonic chords of E♭ Lydian Augmented are E♭+, F, G, A°, B°, Cm, Dm.
Which genres use E♭ 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 you play the E♭ Lydian Augmented scale on the piano?
On the piano E♭ Lydian Augmented uses one black key (E♭) and six white.
What is the difference between E♭ Lydian Augmented and E♭ Lydian?
On E♭, E♭ Lydian Augmented has B where E♭ Lydian has B♭; every other note is shared with E♭ Lydian (E♭ F G A B♭ C D).
How do I practise the E♭ 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.