G Lydian Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
G Lydian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G Lydian scale is the fourth mode of the major scale and arguably the brightest sound in music theory. On Guitar, the notes are G, A, B, C#, D, E, F#. 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 G Lydian are GMaj7, A7, Bm7, C#m7b5, DMaj7, Em7, F#m7. 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: G, A, B, C#, D, E, F#
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
GMaj7 — A7 — Bm7 — C♯m7♭5 — DMaj7 — Em7 — F♯m7
How to Play G Lydian on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 3 on the 6th (low E) to find your G 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 using open G string.
The G Lydian scale contains 2 sharps (C#, F#). Its relative minor is E minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the G Lydian scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (G-B, A-C#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Try these progressions with the G Lydian scale: GMaj7 - C#m7b5 - DMaj7 - GMaj7 (I-IV-V-I) or GMaj7 - A7 - C#m7b5 - DMaj7 for a more stepwise movement.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the G Lydian scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently.
The G Lydian scale contains 7 notes (G, A, B, C#, D, E, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G Lydian
The G 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 G Lydian Further
- Harmonize the G Lydian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G Lydian on Ukulele
- G Lydian on Bass
- G Lydian on Piano
Explore G Lydian in Other Tunings
- G Lydian in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Lydian in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G Lydian in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G Lydian in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G Lydian in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G Lydian in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G Lydian in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G Lydian in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G Lydian in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G Lydian in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G Lydian in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G Lydian in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G Lydian in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Lydian in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)