C♯ Lydian Scale (C#)
The C# Lydian scale contains C# – D# – E# – F## – G# – A# – B#. It uses 8 sharps: F##, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# and B#. It uses the same piano keys as Db Lydian, spelled Db – Eb – F – G – Ab – Bb – C (4 flats).
C# Lydian scale chart
Sharps and flats
C# Lydian has 8 sharps: F##, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# and B#. Its parent major scale is G# major (the same keys as Ab major), which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of Ab major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from C# |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C# | 0 |
| 2 | D# | 2 |
| 3 | E# | 4 |
| #4 | F## | 6 |
| 5 | G# | 7 |
| 6 | A# | 9 |
| 7 | B# | 11 |
Step pattern
The Lydian scale is built from the pattern W – W – W – H – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same mode in a different key.
Chords in C# Lydian
Building a triad on each degree of the scale gives you the chords that belong to it. These are the chords to reach for when writing in C# Lydian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | C# | C# E# G# |
| 2 | II | D# | D# F## A# |
| 3 | iii | E#m | E# G# B# |
| 4 | iv° | F##dim | F## A# C# |
| 5 | V | G# | G# B# D# |
| 6 | vi | A#m | A# C# E# |
| 7 | vii | B#m | B# D# F## |
Other modes on C#
More scales on C#
Lydian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C# Lydian scale?
The C# Lydian scale contains C#, D#, E#, F##, G#, A#, B#, then returns to C# an octave higher.
How many sharps are in C# Lydian?
C# Lydian has 8 sharps: F##, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# and B#.
What is the step pattern of the Lydian scale?
The Lydian scale follows the whole/half step pattern W – W – W – H – W – W – H, where W is a whole step (two semitones) and H is a half step (one semitone).
Which chords work with the C# Lydian scale?
The diatonic chords are C#, D#, E#m, F##dim, G#, A#m, B#m. Each is built only from notes of the C# Lydian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.