Lydian scale · 7 notes
C Lydian scale on guitar
The C Lydian scale has 7 notes: C, D, E, F♯, G, A and B. A major scale with a ♯4: dreamy, floating and cinematic.
Notes
- C
- D
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
- B
Formula
1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7
Steps
W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Sound
Dreamy, bright and weightless
C Lydian on the whole fretboard
Every C Lydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, C, is shown in red so you can always find home.
A shape to learn first
You don’t need the whole neck at once. This hand position is anchored on a root note on the 6th (low E) string, which is how most guitarists find a scale in any key.
Root on the 6th (low E) string
C at fret 8. 7th position: frets 7–11.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of C Lydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from C, the C Lydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 1 sharp (F♯). Compared with C major, it has F♯ (♯4) instead of F.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root | 0 |
| 2 | D | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | E | major 3rd | 4 |
| ♯4 | F♯ | augmented 4th | 6 |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | A | major 6th | 9 |
| 7 | B | major 7th | 11 |
Chords in C Lydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to C Lydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in C Lydian.
- ICC · E · GCmaj7
- IIDD · F♯ · AD7
- iiiEmE · G · BEm7
- ♯iv°F♯°F♯ · A · CF♯m7♭5
- VGG · B · DGmaj7
- viAmA · C · EAm7
- viiBmB · D · F♯Bm7
Progressions to try
- C – D I–II · the Lydian lift
- C – D – Bm – C I–II–vii–I
- C – G – D I–V–II
How to use C Lydian
Reach for it over major 7th chords, film and game music, and progressions that move from I to a major II chord. Its sound is dreamy, bright and weightless.
Tip: Over a major chord, linger on the ♯4. It is the one note that separates Lydian from the plain major scale.
- C Lydian contains exactly the notes of G major, played from its fourth note, C. See G major.
Where to find C on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every C between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with C |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 8 |
| B (2nd) | 1 |
| G (3rd) | 5 |
| D (4th) | 10 |
| A (5th) | 3 |
| Low E (6th) | 8 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as C Lydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
C Lydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the C Lydian scale?
The C Lydian scale has 7 notes: C, D, E, F♯, G, A and B. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7. It contains 1 sharp (F♯).
What chords are in C Lydian?
Harmonising the C Lydian scale in thirds gives C (I), D (II), Em (iii), F♯° (♯iv°), G (V), Am (vi) and Bm (vii).
Where do you play the C Lydian scale on guitar?
The root, C, is at fret 8 on the low E string and fret 3 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 7–11, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as C Lydian?
C Lydian contains exactly the notes of G major, played from its fourth note, C.