C Lydian Augmented at a glance
Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments. 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 · 5A · 6M · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W W W H W H |
| Chords in the key | C+DEF♯°G♯°AmBm |
Chords in the C Lydian Augmented scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
C Lydian Augmented on the piano
Improvisation drone · C
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano C Lydian Augmented uses two black keys (F♯ and G♯) and five white.
C · D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A · B
Play C Lydian Augmented on the online piano
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C Lydian Augmented on the guitar
C Lydian Augmented - fr 0–12
C Lydian Augmented on the staff
Notes of the C Lydian Augmented 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♯ | augmented 5th5A | 8 | |
| 6 | A | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | B | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes C Lydian Augmented different
Lydian augmented is Lydian with a raised fifth, and that ♯5 is the one note separating the two. It's the third mode of melodic minor. Without a perfect fifth its tonic chord is an augmented triad, so the scale fits a maj7♯5 chord. Its first five notes are the same as the whole-tone scale's; only the top of the scale, 6 and 7, breaks the pattern of whole steps. On C, C Lydian Augmented has G♯ where C Lydian has G; every other note is shared with C Lydian (C D E F♯ G A B).
How to use the C Lydian Augmented scale
The diatonic chords of C Lydian Augmented are: I+ = C+, II = D, III = E, 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 Augmented. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments.
Practice tips
Target the raised fifth (♯5) over a major-7♯5 chord to lock in the lydian augmented sound. Try arpeggiating the I and III chords — both are augmented triads — to hear how unstable the scale is.
Formula & step pattern
The C Lydian Augmented scale follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7). Step pattern: W - W - W - W - H - W - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4A · 5A · 6M · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear C Lydian Augmented
Start with the music described above: listen for C Lydian Augmented in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the C Lydian Augmented scale?
The C Lydian Augmented scale contains C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A and B.
What is the formula for the C Lydian Augmented scale?
C Lydian Augmented follows the third mode of melodic minor — major with a raised fourth and fifth (1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7).
Is C Lydian Augmented a major or minor scale?
C Lydian Augmented is a lydian augmented scale. Third mode of melodic minor — Lydian with a raised fifth, dreamy and otherworldly.
What chords belong to the C Lydian Augmented scale?
The diatonic chords of C Lydian Augmented are C+, D, E, F♯°, G♯°, Am, Bm.
Which genres use C Lydian Augmented?
Lydian Augmented is a jazz favourite over augmented major-7 chords. The raised fifth gives an unsettled, dreamy quality — film composers use it for magical or surreal moments.
How do you play the C Lydian Augmented scale on the piano?
On the piano C Lydian Augmented uses two black keys (F♯ and G♯) and five white.
What is the difference between C Lydian Augmented and C Lydian?
On C, C Lydian Augmented has G♯ where C Lydian has G; every other note is shared with C Lydian (C D E F♯ G A B).
How do I practise the C Lydian Augmented scale?
Target the raised fifth (♯5) over a major-7♯5 chord to lock in the lydian augmented sound. Try arpeggiating the I and III chords — both are augmented triads — to hear how unstable the scale is.