C Lydian Mode
Notes in the C Lydian Mode
| 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 | Leading Tone | B | 493.883 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 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | B | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C | major |
| 2 | D | D | major |
| 3 | E | E minor | minor |
| ♯4 | F# | F# diminished | diminished |
| 5 | G | G | major |
| 6 | A | A minor | minor |
| 7 | B | B minor | minor |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Lydian Mode uses the same key signature as C major.
C Lydian Mode in Practice
The C Lydian Mode 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 mode features a raised 4th degree, creating a dreamy, ethereal sound. It is frequently used in film music and progressive rock for its otherworldly, floating quality.
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 |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Lydian Mode 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 Mode
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 Mode in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.