About the C Lydian Diminished scale
C Lydian Diminished is used for jazz solos and film cues that want tension. Think of it as a Lydian scale with a minor third, another raised-fourth minor color. It is C Lydian with the third lowered.
Its notes are C, D, E♭, F♯, G, A, and B. The formula is W H 1½ H W W H. It is the fourth mode of G Harmonic Major.
Also called Lydian ♭3 and Lydian Minor.
Two of the notes in C Lydian Diminished are black keys, E♭ and F♯.
Chords in the key of C Lydian Diminished
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
i C minor
C minor over E flat (1st inversion)
II D
D over F sharp (1st inversion)
III+ E flat augmented
E flat augmented over G (1st inversion)
iv° F sharp diminished
F sharp diminished over A (1st inversion)
V G
G over B (1st inversion)
vi° A diminished
A diminished over C (1st inversion)
vii B minor
B minor over D (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in C Lydian Diminished
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
i C minor major seven
C minor major seven
II D seven
D seven
III+ E flat major seven sharp five
E flat major seven sharp five
iv° F sharp diminished seven
F sharp diminished seven
V G major seven
G major seven
vi° A minor seven flat five
A minor seven flat five
vii B minor seven
B minor seven
Progressions in C Lydian Diminished
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | CC | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | DD | Major 2nd |
| 3 | EbE♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F#F♯ | Augmented 4th |
| 5 | GG | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | AA | Major 6th |
| 7 | BB | Major 7th |
| Steps | W H 1½ H W W H |
|---|---|
| Semitones | 2-1-3-1-2-2-1 |
| Degrees | 1 2 ♭3 ♯4 5 6 7 |
Fingering
Suggested fingering, follows standard fingering rules
| Hand | C | D | E flat | F sharp | G | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Lydian Diminished in other keys
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.