C Lydian Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C Lydian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Lydian Pentatonic scale is a mystical five-note scale that highlights the unique Lydian character. On Guitar, it contains the notes C, E, F#, G, B. It creates a floating, celestial atmosphere and is often used in modern jazz and ambient music to provide a sense of brightness and space without the density of a full scale. Commonly used in Fusion, Ambient, Film Scores, New Age. Notable players include Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, Chick Corea. Use over Maj7#11, Maj9 chords. Perfect for dreamy, non-resolving passages in fusion and ambient music.
Notes: C, E, F#, G, B
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4A, 5P, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 #3 4 5
Formula: 4-W-H-4-H
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: chinese
How to Play C Lydian Pentatonic on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 8 on the 6th (low E) to find your C root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The C Lydian Pentatonic scale contains 1 sharp (F#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the C Lydian Pentatonic scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in C. Try a C5 - G5 - B5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the C Lydian Pentatonic scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications.
The C Lydian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (C, E, F#, G, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Lydian Pentatonic
The C Lydian Pentatonic 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 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C Lydian Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the C Lydian Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Lydian Pentatonic on Ukulele
- C Lydian Pentatonic on Bass
- C Lydian Pentatonic on Piano
Explore C Lydian Pentatonic in Other Tunings
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian Pentatonic in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)