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C♯ lydian minor Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E#, F##, G#, A, B, C#, D# at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11

A string: A, B, C#, D#, E#, F##, G#, A at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12

D string: D#, E#, F##, G#, A, B, C# at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11

G string: F##, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E#, F## at frets 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

B string: B, C#, D#, E#, F##, G#, A, B at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12

High E string: E#, F##, G#, A, B, C#, D# at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11

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C# lydian minor

The lydian minor scale pairs a bright lydian bottom (natural 2nd and 3rd, raised 4th) with a minor top (flat 6th and 7th). The same collection appears as the fourth mode of the neapolitan major catalogue under the name lydian dominant b6. It is a bittersweet dominant color: shimmering below, sinking above, at home in film scoring.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

C♯

I

C♯maj
D♯

II

D#maj♭5
E♯

iii°

E♯dim
F𝄪

#IV

A7no5/F𝄪
G♯

v

G♯m
A

bVI+

Aaug
B

bVII+

Baug

Same notes, different mode

C# lydian minor uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

C# lydian dominant b6D# major locrianE# half-diminished b4G altered dominant double b3G# neapolitan majorA leading whole toneB lydian augmented dominant

lydian minor in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Bright bottom, minor top: rise through the lydian half (II, III, #IV (G)), then let b6 (A) and b7 (B) sink the landing.
  • Over a dominant chord heading to minor, it promises the darkness early; III and b7 (B) are the guide tones.
  • The same notes are catalogued as lydian dominant b6 (A), the fourth mode of neapolitan major; both names, one sound.
  • Film-score trick: hold a plain major triad on C# and melodize with this scale; the b6 (A) against the chord's 5th is instant unease.

How to play C♯ lydian minor on guitar

Open G sounds F## in this key, an augmented fourth over the tonic, which means the third string is colour and not an anchor. Open A and B fill in the minor sixth and minor seventh, leaving no open root or fifth. Capo fret 1 and the C fingerings transfer straight over, giving you a five-sharp key without reading five sharps. Fret 2 on the B is nearest the nut.

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