C Lydian Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
C Lydian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Lydian scale is the fourth mode of the major scale and arguably the brightest sound in music theory. On Guitar, the notes are C, D, E, F#, G, A, B. It is known for its ethereal, dreamlike, and cinematic quality. Because it avoids the pull of the perfect fourth, it is a favorite for film composers wanting to evoke a sense of wonder or otherworldly space. The diatonic chords of C Lydian are CMaj7, D7, Em7, F#m7b5, GMaj7, Am7, Bm7. Commonly used in Film Scores, Progressive Rock, Fusion, Ambient, Dream Pop. Notable players include Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Williams, Hans Zimmer. Use over Maj7#11, Maj9 chords. Ideal for non-resolving major passages. Avoid when the music needs to feel grounded or resolved.
Notes: C, D, E, F#, G, A, B
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
Formula: W-W-W-H-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
Diatonic Chords
CMaj7 — D7 — Em7 — F♯m7♭5 — GMaj7 — Am7 — Bm7
How to Play C Lydian 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 scale contains 1 sharp (F#). Its relative minor is A minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the C Lydian 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.
Try these progressions with the C Lydian scale: CMaj7 - F#m7b5 - GMaj7 - CMaj7 (I-IV-V-I) or CMaj7 - D7 - F#m7b5 - GMaj7 for a more stepwise movement.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the C Lydian 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 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
The C Lydian 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 Further
- Harmonize the C Lydian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C Lydian on Ukulele
- C Lydian on Bass
- C Lydian on Piano
Explore C Lydian in Other Tunings
- C Lydian in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Lydian in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Lydian in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Lydian in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Lydian in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Lydian in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Lydian in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Lydian in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Lydian in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Lydian in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Lydian in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Lydian in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)