Scales & Modes
C Lydian
Neck DiagramOne of the 66 seven-note scales (#1, mode 4): 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 against major.
How it sounds, and where to use it
Often described as dreamy, floating, futuristic. Hear it in Björk, "Possibly Maybe"; the Simpsons theme.
How usual it sounds: as tight as it gets: the notes sit side by side on the circle of fifths, which is why it sounds so familiar. (No gaps round the circle of fifths. See its shape.)
Same notes as G Major: read its key signature from there.
Solo with it over:CCmaj7Csus2C6Cmaj9
Chords on C made only from this scale's notes, so every note of the scale sits safely over them.
Step through the Mode ladder from here · Open it in Note shapes
Mode 4 of G Major: the same notes, started from its degree 4.
Formula: W-W-W-H-W-W-H · Arpeggios in C Lydian
| Step | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | D | E | F♯ | G | A | B |
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | ♯4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Interval | P1 | M2 | M3 | TT | P5 | M6 | M7 |
Degree and Interval are the same thing written two ways: how far each note is from the root (♯4 and TT here). See them all on the Intervals page → Click either one in the table to open that interval.
Modes
Two octaves across; each mode starts one scale degree later and is numbered from its own root. ▶ plays a mode.
The same notes, started from each degree: the degrees against major, the steps between them, and the notes.
| # | Degrees and steps | Notes | Name(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 123♯45678WWWHWWH | C D E F♯ G A B C | Lydian | |
| II | 123456♭78WWHWWHW | D E F♯ G A B C D | Mixolydian | |
| III | 12♭345♭6♭78WHWWHWW | E F♯ G A B C D E | Aeolian | |
| IV | 1♭2♭34♭5♭6♭78HWWHWWW | F♯ G A B C D E F♯ | Locrian | |
| V | 12345678WWHWWWH | G A B C D E F♯ G | Ionian | |
| VI | 12♭3456♭78WHWWWHW | A B C D E F♯ G A | Dorian | |
| VII | 1♭2♭345♭6♭78HWWWHWW | B C D E F♯ G A B | Phrygian |
Nobody has found a C Lydian track yet. The root drone on the Every 7-note scale page works for any scale meanwhile.
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For more on modes, check out
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