C Lydian Diminished Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C Lydian Diminished Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Lydian Diminished scale is a synthetic scale that blends the ethereal brightness of Lydian with the tension of a minor third. On Guitar, it contains the notes C, D, Eb, F#, G, A, B. It is used to create a mysterious, neo-classical atmosphere that feels both ancient and modern at the same time. Commonly used in Film Scores, Neo-Classical, Fusion. Notable players include Danny Elfman, Bela Bartok. Use over m(Maj7), mMaj7#11 chords. A specialized color for neo-classical and cinematic passages.
Notes: C, D, Eb, F#, G, A, B
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 7
Formula: W-H-WH-H-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
How to Play C Lydian Diminished 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 Diminished scale contains both sharps and flats (1 sharp, 1 flat), which is common in altered and exotic scales. Its relative minor is A minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the C Lydian Diminished scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C-Eb, 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 Diminished scale come through clearly.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the C Lydian Diminished scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The C Lydian Diminished scale contains 7 notes (C, D, Eb, 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 Diminished
The C Lydian Diminished 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 Diminished Further
- Harmonize the C Lydian Diminished scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Lydian Diminished on Ukulele
- C Lydian Diminished on Bass
- C Lydian Diminished on Piano
Explore C Lydian Diminished in Other Tunings
- C Lydian Diminished in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian Diminished in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian Diminished in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Lydian Diminished in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Lydian Diminished in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Lydian Diminished in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Lydian Diminished in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Lydian Diminished in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Lydian Diminished in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Lydian Diminished in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Lydian Diminished in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Lydian Diminished in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Lydian Diminished in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian Diminished in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)