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Explore scales · Ukulele

C lydian scale on ukulele

C Lydian uses C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B. Its raised fourth sits on the third and fifth frets in Box 1.

GACDEF♯GABCGCEA123
Positions on the neck1 of 5
Practice C lydian scale

How it is built

C1D2E3F♯♯4G5A6B7

Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, 7

Chords these notes build

How do you play the C lydian scale on ukulele?

C lydian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 0 and the A string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)0, 2G, A
3 (C)0, 2C, D
2 (E)0, 2, 3E, F♯, G
1 (A)0, 2, 3A, B, C

Box 2 · frets 2–5

C lydian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 3.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)2, 4, 5A, B, C
3 (C)2, 4D, E
2 (E)2, 3, 5F♯, G, A
1 (A)2, 3, 5B, C, D

Box 3 · frets 4–7

C lydian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)4, 5, 7B, C, D
3 (C)4, 6, 7E, F♯, G
2 (E)5, 7A, B
1 (A)5, 7D, E

Box 4 · frets 6–9

C lydian in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 9 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)7, 9D, E
3 (C)6, 7, 9F♯, G, A
2 (E)7, 8B, C
1 (A)7, 9E, F♯

Box 5 · frets 9–12

C lydian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 12.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)9, 11, 12E, F♯, G
3 (C)9, 11, 12A, B, C
2 (E)10, 12D, E
1 (A)9, 10, 12F♯, G, A

Why it sounds like that

C Lydian is C major with a raised fourth: F♯ replaces F. The pattern is W, W, W, H, W, W, H. Compare it with C major to hear the difference. The ♯4 creates a bright, floating quality over the tonic.

When to use it

Use C Lydian over C major or C 5th chords. The ♯4 adds colour to progressions like C–G–Am. It suits film scores and jazz fusion. Try it over C major and C 5th.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 5 and covers frets 0–3, setting up Box 2.

Common questions

What notes are in C Lydian?

C, D, E, F♯, G, A, B. The raised fourth is F♯. This note distinguishes it from C major.

Which chords fit C Lydian?

C major and C 5th work well. The ♯4 can be used over C major. Avoid chords with a natural fourth.

How does C Lydian differ from C major?

C Lydian has F♯ instead of F. This raised fourth creates a brighter sound. The rest of the notes are identical.