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Scale · 7 notes

C Lydian Augmented Scale

C Lydian Augmented is a 7-note scale with the notes C D E F♯ G♯ A B. It sounds the third mode of melodic minor: Lydian with a raised 5th, shimmering and unresolved, used over maj7♯5 chords.

CDEABF♯G♯

Purple = C (the tonic) · green = other scale notes

On the fretboard

Every C lydian augmented note on the neck. Pick a pattern to see the compact fingering shape that fits under one hand.

EADGBe135791215EF♯G♯ABCDEF♯ABCDEF♯G♯ABCDEF♯G♯ABCDEG♯ABCDEF♯G♯ABCDEF♯G♯ABCDEF♯G♯ABCDEF♯

Blue = C (the root) · green = other scale notes

Notes in the C Lydian Augmented scale

DegreeNoteName
1CTonic
2DSupertonic
3EMediant
♯4F♯Subdominant
♯5G♯Dominant
6ASubmediant
7BLeading tone

Each note uses a different letter name, so the spelling follows the scale rather than the keyboard: C D E F♯ G♯ A B.

C Lydian Augmented scale formula

The pattern of steps from one note to the next is W – W – W – W – H – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step). Compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 3 ♯4 ♯5 6 7.

Chords in the C Lydian Augmented scale

Stacking thirds on each note of the scale gives these chords:

DegreeTriad7th chord
I+C+C7♯5
IIDD7
IIIEE7
iv°F♯°F♯ø7
v°G♯°G♯ø7
viAmAm(maj7)
viiBmBm7

Chord names link to guitar chord shapes where we have them.

How to practise the C Lydian Augmented scale

Learn it as a rotation of a scale you already know (lydian dominant is melodic minor starting on its 4th note, altered starts on its 7th) and play it over the matching chord with a drone on the root.

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes in the C Lydian Augmented scale?

The notes of the C Lydian Augmented scale are C D E F♯ G♯ A B.

What is the formula for the C Lydian Augmented scale?

The pattern of whole and half steps is W – W – W – W – H – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step). In scale degrees: 1 2 3 ♯4 ♯5 6 7.

What chords are in the C Lydian Augmented scale?

Built from the scale in triads: C+, D, E, F♯°, G♯°, Am, Bm.

More C scales

C Major, C Natural Minor, C Harmonic Minor, C Melodic Minor, C Dorian, C Phrygian, C Lydian, C Mixolydian, C Locrian, C Major Pentatonic, C Minor Pentatonic, C Blues, C Lydian Dominant, C Altered, C Whole Tone, C Dorian ♭2, C Mixolydian ♭6, C Locrian ♯2, C Phrygian Dominant, C Hungarian Minor, C Double Harmonic, C Diminished (W–H), C Diminished (H–W), C Bebop Dominant, C Bebop Major

Explore the full scales library, find a scale from notes with the scale finder, or see every chord in every key in the chord chart.