C Lydian scale
The C Lydian scale is made of the notes C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7.
Modes · 7 notes
- 1C
- 2D
- 3E
- ♯4F♯
- 5G
- 6A
- 7B
PatternW – W – W – H – W – W – H(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the major scale. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The fourth mode of the major: a major scale with an augmented 4th. It sounds floating and dreamy, very common in film music and over the maj7♯11 chord.
The C Lydian scale is mode 4 of the G major scale: the same notes, starting from degree 4. G major scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the C Lydian scale?
- The notes are C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B.
- What is the pattern of the C Lydian scale?
- The sequence of steps is W – W – W – H – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7.
- Which scale is the C Lydian scale a mode of?
- It is mode 4 of the G major scale.
- Which chords is the C Lydian scale used over?
- It is used over Cmaj7, C6, Cmaj9: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.