C# Lydian: A Theoretical Spelling
Spelled in full, the C# Lydian scale is C#, D#, E#, F##, G#, A# and B#. The E#, B# and F## are only names for F, C and G, so on the guitar you are playing the same notes as Db Lydian, which has no sharps to worry about.
Play the root on the 9th fret of the low E string, then try the 4th fret of the A string to cover the lower register. These notes make up G# major. To compare the scale with others in the family, see guitar modes explained.
Play the C# lydian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the C# lydian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| C# | 1 | Root | 0 |
| D# | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| E# | 3 | Major 3rd | 4 |
| F## | #4 | Tritone | 6 |
| G# | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| A# | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| B# | 7 | Major 7th | 11 |
Structure
C# lydian scale notes:
How the lydian scale is built:
The lydian scale is built from the degrees 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7, which gives the step pattern W-W-W-H-W-W-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is mode 4 of the Major Scale, so both scales share the same notes from a different starting point.
C# Lydian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (B)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the C# lydian scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Related modes
These scales share the same notes as the lydian scale, starting from a different degree.
The lydian scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
