C Lydian at a glance
Lydian is that dreamy mode film composers and fusion guitarists love. Progressive rock uses it too. The sharp fourth makes even simple ideas sound futuristic. Built on the root C, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where C is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | C D E F♯ G A B |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5P · 6M · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W W H W W H |
| Chords in the key | CDEmF♯°GAmBm |
Chords in the C Lydian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
C Lydian on the piano
Improvisation drone · C
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano C Lydian uses one black key (F♯) and six white.
C · D · E · F♯ · G · A · B
Try C Lydian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
C Lydian on the guitar
C Lydian - fr 0–12
C Lydian on the staff
Notes of the C Lydian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | D | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | E | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | F♯ | augmented 4th4A | 6 | |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | A | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | B | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes C Lydian different
Lydian is a major mode with one raised note, the fourth, a tritone above the tonic. That ♯4 removes the half step between the third and fourth that the major scale has, so nothing in the lower half pulls downward, and the mode sounds bright and suspended. The II chord is major, and the I to II vamp is the textbook Lydian sound in film scores. It's the fourth mode of the major scale, so it shares its notes with the major scale a perfect fifth above its root. On C, C Lydian has F♯ where C Major has F; every other note is shared with C Major (C D E F G A B).
Modes from C Lydian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the C Lydian scale
The diatonic chords of C Lydian are: I = C, II = D, iii = Em, iv° = F♯°, V = G, vi = Am, vii = Bm. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in C Lydian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Lydian is that dreamy mode film composers and fusion guitarists love. Progressive rock uses it too. The sharp fourth makes even simple ideas sound futuristic.
Practice tips
Target that raised fourth for the unmistakeable lydian colour. Try arpeggiating the I and II chords to highlight the brightness.
Formula & step pattern
The C Lydian scale follows a major scale with a raised fourth degree (W-W-W-H-W-W-H). Step pattern: W - W - W - H - W - W - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5P · 6M · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Famous songs in C Lydian
These well-known tracks all use the C Lydian scale.
- 01Flying in a Blue DreamJoe Satriani
- 02Man on the MoonR.E.M. · verse
Questions people ask
What notes are in the C Lydian scale?
The C Lydian scale contains C, D, E, F♯, G, A and B.
What is the formula for the C Lydian scale?
C Lydian follows a major scale with a raised fourth degree (W-W-W-H-W-W-H).
Is C Lydian a major or minor scale?
C Lydian is a lydian scale. Brighter than major thanks to its raised fourth - dreamy and cinematic.
What chords belong to the C Lydian scale?
The diatonic chords of C Lydian are C, D, Em, F♯°, G, Am, Bm.
Which genres use C Lydian?
Lydian is that dreamy mode film composers and fusion guitarists love. Progressive rock uses it too. The sharp fourth makes even simple ideas sound futuristic.
How do you play the C Lydian scale on the piano?
On the piano C Lydian uses one black key (F♯) and six white.
What is the difference between C Lydian and C Major?
On C, C Lydian has F♯ where C Major has F; every other note is shared with C Major (C D E F G A B).
How do I practise the C Lydian scale?
Target that raised fourth for the unmistakeable lydian colour. Try arpeggiating the I and II chords to highlight the brightness.