C Lydian Dominant Scale
Notes in the C Lydian Dominant Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♯4 | Lydian 4th | F# | 369.994 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 6 | Submediant | A | 440.000 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | A# | 466.164 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | F# |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | F# | G |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | A | A# |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A# | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C | major |
| 2 | D | D | major |
| 3 | E | E diminished | diminished |
| ♯4 | F# | F# diminished | diminished |
| 5 | G | G minor | minor |
| 6 | A | A minor | minor |
| ♭7 | A# | A# augmented | augmented |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Lydian Dominant Scale uses the same key signature as C major.
C Lydian Dominant Scale in Practice
The C Lydian Dominant Scale uses the key signature of no sharps or flats. C major is the simplest key signature with no sharps or flats. It is the starting point for music theory and the most widely studied key in Western music. On guitar, C positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The Lydian Dominant scale (mode IV of melodic minor) combines the raised 4th of Lydian with the flat 7th of Mixolydian. It is the preferred jazz scale for unresolved dominant chords.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Lydian Dominant Scale Positions
The C key offers open-string resonance (no sharps or flats) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like C are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.
Piano: C Lydian Dominant Scale
C major is the foundational key for piano study — all white keys, no black keys in the major scale. Every piano method book begins here. The Lydian Dominant Scale in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.