F FLAT LYDIAN MODE

‘F Flat Lydian’ is the 4th mode of the C flat major scale. The notes in Fb Lydian are:

Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb

If you have read the post on understanding the lydian mode, you will know that the lydian mode contains a ‘sharp 4′ (parallel approach). You will also know that it is the 4th mode of the major scale (derivative approach). Because the ‘sharp 4′ is the only difference between the lydian mode and the major scale, it is a very simple mode to analyze. Let’s briefly look at how to construct Fb lydian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

Parallel Approach:

Fb Major has the following notes:

Fb – Gb – Ab – Bbb – Cb – Db – Eb

If we ‘raise’ the 4th note, we get the following:

Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb

Derivative Approach:

Fb is the 4th note of the Cb major scale:

Cb – Db – Eb – Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb

If we play the Cb major scale and start on the 4th note we get the following:

Fb – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb

Let’s look at the Fb lydian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:

Positions Along the Fretboard:

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

Now let’s look at Fb lydian in the 3rd position (lowest fret is 3)

Now let’s look at Fb lydian in the 6th position (lowest fret is 6)

Now let’s look at Fb lydian in the 7th position (lowest fret is 7)

Now let’s look at Fb lydian in the 11th position (lowest fret is 11)

Finally, let’s look at Fb lydian in the 12th position (lowest fret is 12)

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of Fb lydian along the guitar fretboard.

For an in depth explanation of the lydian mode, check out lydian mode explained.