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C lydian mode

The C lydian mode is C D E F♯ G A B: seven notes, dreamy and floating. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7.

Make a beat in C major

Opens the free editor with a pop beat in C major to play C lydian over. No account needed to start.

The notes of C lydian

From C up to C: whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half. Tap a key to hear it.

C D E F♯ G A B C

CDEGABCF♯
The notes of C lydian mode by scale degree
DegreeNoteFrom the root
1CRoot
2DMajor second
3EMajor third
♯4F♯Augmented fourth
5GPerfect fifth
6AMajor sixth
7BMajor seventh

How C lydian is built

The G major scale played from its fourth note, C: the same notes with C as home. Against C major, the major scale on the same note, it has F♯ instead of F.

The major scale played from its fourth note: a major scale with a raised fourth. It sounds bright and weightless, which is why film scores reach for it. The lydian mode in every key.

Chords in C lydian

One chord on each note of the scale, built from its own notes. The numeral says which note it starts on, against the C major scale: capitals are major, small letters minor.

ICIIDiiiEm♯iv°F♯dimVGviAmviiBm

Play C lydian over a beat

A beat on the chords of C major. Play the scale over it on the keyboard above, then open it in the editor and add your melody as its own part.

Hear it as

Questions about C lydian

What notes are in the C lydian mode?

C, D, E, F♯, G, A and B. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7, counted from the major scale on C, and its steps from C up to C are: whole, whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half.

What key is C lydian in?

C lydian uses the notes of G major, starting on its fourth note, C. The notes are the same; making C home is what gives it its own sound.

How is C lydian different from C major?

F♯ instead of F: one note of the C major scale changes, and that note gives C lydian its sound: dreamy and floating.

Lydian mode in every key

C lydianD♭ lydianD lydianE♭ lydianE lydianF lydianG♭ lydianG lydianA♭ lydianA lydianB♭ lydianB lydian

More scales on C

C major (major scale)C minor (natural minor scale)C major pentatonicC minor pentatonicC bluesC harmonic minorC melodic minorC dorianC phrygianC lydianC mixolydianC locrianC phrygian dominant
Scales and modes
Major and minor keysMajor pentatonic scaleMinor pentatonic scaleBlues scaleHarmonic minor scaleMelodic minor scaleDorian modePhrygian modeLydian modeMixolydian modeLocrian modePhrygian dominant scaleWhole tone scale

Build a song in C lydian

Start with the beat, then add chords, a melody and your voice in the editor, part by part.

Make a beat in C majorAll music scales

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