C Lydian scale

The C Lydian scale has the notes C D E F♯ G A B. Its formula is 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7. It is mode 4 of the G major scale: the same notes, starting on C. Key signature: 1 sharp (F♯).

It can also be written as B♯; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

Open in Grados with sound →

Scale notes

Degree	Formula	Note
I	1	C tonic
II	2	D
III	3	E
IV	#4	F♯
V	5	G
VI	6	A
VII	7	B

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
IMaj7 modal center	CMaj7	C E G B	Lydian C	9 (D), #11 (F♯), 13 (A)	–
II7 characteristic	D7	D F♯ A C	Mixolydian D	9 (E), 13 (B)	11 (G)
IIIm7	Em7	E G B D	Aeolian E	9 (F♯), 11 (A)	b13 (C)
#IVø	F♯ø	F♯ A C E	Locrian F♯	11 (B), b13 (D)	b9 (G)
VMaj7	GMaj7	G B D F♯	Ionian G	9 (A), 13 (E)	11 (C)
VIm7	Am7	A C E G	Dorian A	9 (B), 11 (D)	13 (F♯)
VIIm7 characteristic	Bm7	B D F♯ A	Phrygian B	11 (E)	b9 (C), b13 (G)

Character and characteristic note

The Lydian mode is the fourth mode of the major scale. It is a major scale with a raised fourth (#4), which makes it bright and clear; it is the brightest of the major modes.

Effect: bright, clear, balanced.
Characteristic note: #4 (#11).
Characteristic chords: II7 (D7), VIIm7 (Bm7).

How to use it

Center IMaj7(#11). Characteristic chords II7 and VIIm7 (cadence chords). The melody keeps coming back to 1 or 5, contrasted with the #4. The mode has no IV chord.

Watch out for

II7 tends to resolve to VMaj7 and tonicizes the relative Ionian.
There is no IV chord in the mode.

Examples

Lydian ending in Brazilian music (IMaj7(#11))

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C Lydian scale?

C D E F♯ G A B. 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7.

What chords can you build on the C Lydian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are IMaj7 = CMaj7, II7 = D7, IIIm7 = Em7, #IVø = F♯ø, VMaj7 = GMaj7, VIm7 = Am7, VIIm7 = Bm7.