Explore scales · Guitar
C♯ lydian scale on guitar
C♯ lydian contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. The double-sharp fourth is enharmonic with G, giving a unique spelling.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the C♯ lydian scale on guitar?
C♯ lydian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2, 4 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3, 4 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
C♯ lydian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F♯♯ on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | D♯, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ lydian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 15 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the G string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ lydian in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ lydian in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 13 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to E♯ on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 13 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ lydian is C♯ major with a raised fourth: F♯♯ replaces F♯. The step pattern is W, W, W, H, W, W, H. Compare with C♯ major to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use C♯ lydian over C♯ major or C♯ 5th chords for a bright, exotic color. It fits the IV chord in G♯ major progressions and suits fusion and neoclassical metal.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 5, fret 4, giving a comfortable mid-neck position. That box covers frets 1–4 and sets up the shift to Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ lydian?
C♯ lydian has C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. The raised fourth is F♯♯, enharmonic with G. It is a major scale with a sharpened fourth degree. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ lydian?
C♯ lydian fits C♯ major and C♯ 5th chords. It also works over the IV chord in G♯ major. The ♯4 adds tension over the tonic.
How is C♯ lydian different from C♯ major?
C♯ lydian raises the fourth degree from F♯ to F♯♯. This creates a whole step between the third and fourth. The rest of the notes are identical.