C Lydian #9 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C Lydian #9 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Lydian #9 scale is an exotic and aggressive variation of the Lydian mode. On Guitar, the notes are C, D#, E, F#, G, A, B. It features a wide melodic gap that gives it a fusion edge, perfect for high-energy solos and modern jazz compositions that require a sharp, biting sound. Commonly used in Fusion, Modern Jazz, Progressive. Notable players include Allan Holdsworth, Brett Garsed. Use over 7#9#11 chords. A specialized fusion tool for adding a sharp, biting edge to Lydian-based lines.
Notes: C, D#, E, F#, G, A, B
Intervals: 1P, 2A, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 #2 3 #4 5 6 7
Formula: WH-H-W-H-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
How to Play C Lydian #9 on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position.
The C Lydian #9 scale contains 2 sharps (D#, F#). Its relative minor is A minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the C Lydian #9 scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C-E, D#-F#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Lydian #9 scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the C Lydian #9 scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The C Lydian #9 scale contains 7 notes (C, D#, E, F#, G, A, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Lydian #9
The C Lydian #9 scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C Lydian #9 Further
- Harmonize the C Lydian #9 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Lydian #9 on Ukulele
- C Lydian #9 on Bass
- C Lydian #9 on Piano
Explore C Lydian #9 in Other Tunings
- C Lydian #9 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian #9 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian #9 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Lydian #9 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Lydian #9 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Lydian #9 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Lydian #9 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Lydian #9 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Lydian #9 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Lydian #9 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Lydian #9 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Lydian #9 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Lydian #9 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian #9 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)