stringery

C lydian

Major with a raised 4th: film scores and dream pop. Major 7 family

Floating, magical, wide-eyed.

Root position3 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the sharp 4th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. CRW
  2. D2W
  3. E3W
  4. F♯♯4H
  5. G5W
  6. A6W
  7. B7H

The sharp 4th lifts the most stable-sounding note of the major scale, so the whole scale seems to hover.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckC lydian

12345EADGBE357912153♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23♯45
12345EADGBE357912153♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23♯4567R23♯45

Position 3 is outlined, frets 7 to 11. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The C lydian key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. CI
  2. DII
  3. Emiii
  4. F♯dimiv°
  5. GV
  6. Amvi
  7. Bmvii

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • G major

    Same notes, but home is G: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • E minor

    Same notes, but home is E: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • A dorian

    Same notes, but home is A: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • D mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is D: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • B phrygian

    Same notes, but home is B: dark, spanish, menacing.