Learn the C Lydian scale — notes, intervals, chords, modes, and more.
The C Lydian scale contains the following notes:
C – D – E – F♯ – G – A – BThe scale degrees of the C Lydian scale are:
1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7| Scale Degree | Note |
|---|---|
| 1 | C |
| 2 | D |
| 3 | E |
| ♯4 | F♯ |
| 5 | G |
| 6 | A |
| 7 | B |
The C Lydian scale uses the interval pattern W, W, W, H, W, W, H
| From | To | Step |
|---|---|---|
| C | D | W |
| D | E | W |
| E | F♯ | W |
| F♯ | G | H |
| G | A | W |
| A | B | W |
| B | C | H |
| Scale Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Perfect Unison |
| 2 | D | Major 2nd |
| 3 | E | Major 3rd |
| ♯4 | F♯ | Augmented 4th |
| 5 | G | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A | Major 6th |
| 7 | B | Major 7th |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I | C | C, E, G |
| II | D | D, F♯, A |
| iii | Em | E, G, B |
| iv° | F♯dim | F♯, A, C |
| V | G | G, B, D |
| vi | Am | A, C, E |
| vii | Bm | B, D, F♯ |
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Imaj7 | Cmaj7 | C, E, G, B |
| II7 | D7 | D, F♯, A, C |
| iii7 | Em7 | E, G, B, D |
| ivø7 | F♯m7♭5 | F♯, A, C, E |
| Vmaj7 | Gmaj7 | G, B, D, F♯ |
| vi7 | Am7 | A, C, E, G |
| vii7 | Bm7 | B, D, F♯, A |
The modes of C Lydian use the same notes but start on different scale degrees.
| Mode | Starting note | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| G Ionian | G | G, A, B, C, D, E, F♯ |
| A Dorian | A | A, B, C, D, E, F♯, G |
| B Phrygian | B | B, C, D, E, F♯, G, A |
| C Lydian | C | C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B |
| D Mixolydian | D | D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C |
| E Aeolian | E | E, F♯, G, A, B, C, D |
| F♯ Locrian | F♯ | F♯, G, A, B, C, D, E |
C Lydian is the 4th mode of the G major scale. Both share the same 7 notes — Lydian starts on the 4th degree (C) instead of the root (G).
The only difference is the 4th degree. C Lydian has an augmented 4th (F♯), while C major has a perfect 4th (F). That raised 4th is what gives Lydian its signature dreamy, floating quality compared to the grounded sound of major.