C Lydian Pentatonic Ukulele Scale
Ukulele 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 Ukulele, 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 Ukulele
On ukulele, find C on the open strings or work through the scale within a four-fret span. With 5 notes, this scale fits neatly on the ukulele's short fretboard without requiring large stretches.
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.
Ukulele Tips
The compact fretboard of the ukulele makes the C Lydian Pentatonic scale easy to visualize in a single position. Use this to your advantage by memorizing the scale shape relative to chord shapes you already know.
The C Lydian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (C, E, F#, G, B). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele 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 Guitar
- C Lydian Pentatonic on Bass
- C Lydian Pentatonic on Piano