About the C Lydian Scale
The C lydian scale is a 7-note scale. Major scale with raised 4th, dreamy quality. Its notes are C, D, E, F#, G, A and B, built from the formula 1 2 3 ♭5 5 6 7.
- Notes
- C – D – E – F# – G – A – B
- Formula
- 1 2 3 ♭5 5 6 7
- Steps
- W W W H W W H (2–2–2–1–2–2–1 semitones)
- Root
- C
C Lydian Scale degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Root |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| 3 | E | Major 3rd |
| ♭5 | F# | Tritone (♭5) |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A | Major 6th |
| 7 | B | Major 7th |
Where to play the C Lydian Scale on guitar
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (E A D G B E), lowest string first. Root notes (C) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| E2 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| A2 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| D3 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| G3 | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 |
| B3 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| E4 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
How to practice the lydian scale
- Highlight the #4 for the floating sound
- Practice over maj7#11 chords
- Work on Steve Vai-style melodies
- Try atmospheric clean tone playing
- Use for film score-style compositions
Scales with the same notes as C Lydian Scale
These scales share every note with the C lydian scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Lydian scale in other keys
Other scales in C
- C Minor Pentatonic
- C Major Pentatonic
- C Mixolydian Pentatonic
- C Natural Minor
- C Major (Ionian)
- C Blues
- C Dorian
- C Mixolydian
- C Phrygian
- C Harmonic Minor
- C Locrian
- C Diminished (Half-Whole)
- C Diminished (Whole-Half)
- C Whole Tone
- C Augmented (Hexatonic)
- C Altered (Super Locrian)
- C Phrygian Dominant
- C Lydian Dominant
- C Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- C Bebop Dominant
- C Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- C Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)