C♯ Lydian Scale

The C♯ Lydian scale is the fourth mode of the G♯ major scale, giving it a distinctive bright sound characterized by its raised fourth 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 mode 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 characteristic tones such as the augmented 4th (F♯♯), which gives this scale its signature sound.

C♯ Lydian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Lydian mode is:

Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half

Applied 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, 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 chords 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 the sound of 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♯). Otherwise, the two scales are identical.

What is the parent scale of C♯ Lydian?

G♯ major. C♯ Lydian uses the same notes as G♯ major, but starts on its fourth 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