G♭ Lydian ♭3 Scale

123456789101112131415FG♭A♭B𝄫CD♭E♭FG♭CD♭E♭FG♭A♭B𝄫CD♭A♭B𝄫CD♭E♭FG♭A♭B𝄫E♭FG♭A♭B𝄫CD♭E♭FB𝄫CD♭E♭FG♭A♭B𝄫CFG♭A♭B𝄫CD♭E♭FG♭

G♭ Lydian ♭3 contains 7 notes: G♭, A♭, B𝄫, C, D♭, E♭, F. It has 4 flats: G♭, A♭, D♭, E♭. The step pattern is W–H–W+H–H–W–W–H.

A paradoxical mode that's minor (b3) but somehow feels uplifting. The raised 4th, natural 6th, and natural 7th inject so much brightness into the minor framework that it sounds like a more exotic, sophisticated cousin of Dorian.

The formula is 1, 2, b3, #4, 5, 6, 7. The b3 establishes minor quality while the #4, natural 6, and natural 7 push strongly toward brightness. It works over minor-major 7th chords with a #11 extension and can add real sophistication to modal jazz compositions.

An excellent alternative to standard Dorian when you want more exotic flavor over minor chords. Emphasize the #4 and natural 7 — they're what distinguish this from regular Dorian. Use harmonic major shapes rooted on the 4th degree.

Step pattern W – H – W+H – H – W – W – H
R2♭3♯45678G♭A♭B𝄫CD♭E♭FG♭TS3STTS
B𝄫·♭3G♭·RA♭·2C·♯4F·7D♭·5E♭·68
𝄞G♭ (R)A♭ (2)B𝄫 (♭3)C (♯4)D♭ (5)E♭ (6)F (7)G♭ (8)
II
iv°
vi°
vii
JazzFusionContemporary classical

Sign up free to save favorites

100% free. No credit card required.