C♭ Lydian Scale
The C♭ Lydian scale is the 4th mode of the G♭ major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised 4th degree.
This page covers everything you need to know about the C♭ Lydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
C♭ Lydian Scale Notes
The C♭ Lydian scale contains the following notes:
C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭These notes come directly from the G♭ major parent scale, starting on its 4th degree (C♭).
C♭ Lydian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the C♭ Lydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
C♭ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Lydian scale is:
W – W – H – W – W – W – HApplied to C♭, this gives us:
- C♭ → D♭
- D♭ → E♭
- E♭ → F
- F → G♭
- G♭ → A♭
- A♭ → B♭
- B♭ → C♭
Thus, C♭ Lydian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (C♭)
- Major 2nd (D♭)
- Major 3rd (E♭)
- Augmented 4th (F)
- Perfect 5th (G♭)
- Major 6th (A♭)
- Major 7th (B♭)
This structure gives the Lydian mode its characteristic brightness, largely due to the distinctive augmented 4th.
Chords in the Key of C♭ Lydian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the C♭ Lydian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- C♭ major (I)
- D♭ major (II)
- E♭ minor (iii)
- F diminished (iv°)
- G♭ major (V)
- A♭ minor (vi)
- B♭ minor (vii)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in C♭ Lydian, you may also like:
- C♭ Lydian Dominant (Lydian with a minor 7th)
- D♭ Mixolydian
- G♭ major (parent scale)
C♭ Lydian Scale FAQs
How is C♭ Lydian different from C♭ major?
C♭ Lydian has a raised 4th (F) while C♭ major has a perfect 4th (F♭). Aside from this difference, the two scales share the same notes.
What is the parent scale of C♭ Lydian?
G♭ major. C♭ Lydian uses the same notes as G♭ major, but starts on its 4th degree (C♭).
Summary: C♭ Lydian Scale
- Notes: C♭, D♭, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, B♭
- Mode: 4th mode of G♭ major
- Formula: W, W, H, W, W, W, H