About the C sharp Lydian Diminished scale
C sharp 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.
Four of the notes in C♯ Lydian Diminished are black keys, C♯, D♯, G♯, and A♯. Notably, the raised fourth falls on the white key F♯♯.
Chords in the key of C sharp Lydian Diminished
Expand a chord to see how to play it.
Position 2 of 3
C sharp minor over E (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
D sharp over F double sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
E augmented over G sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
F double sharp diminished over A sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
G sharp over B sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
A sharp diminished over C sharp (1st inversion)
Position 2 of 3
B sharp minor over D sharp (1st inversion)
Seventh chords in C sharp Lydian Diminished
The four-note version of each chord, richer and jazzier.
C sharp minor major seven
D sharp seven
E major seven sharp five
F double sharp diminished seven
G sharp major seven
A sharp minor seven flat five
B sharp minor seven
Progressions in C sharp Lydian Diminished
Tap any chord to hear it, or play the whole progression.
Notes and intervals
| 1 | C#C♯ | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | D#D♯ | Major 2nd |
| 3 | EE | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | F##F♯♯ | Augmented 4th |
| 5 | G#G♯ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | A#A♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | B#B♯ | 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 sharp | D sharp | E | F double sharp | G sharp | A sharp | B sharp | C sharp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Left hand | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Related scales
Lydian Diminished in other keys
C Lydian Diminished scaleD Lydian Diminished scaleD sharp Lydian Diminished scaleE Lydian Diminished scaleF Lydian Diminished scaleF sharp Lydian Diminished scaleG Lydian Diminished scaleG sharp Lydian Diminished scaleA Lydian Diminished scaleA sharp Lydian Diminished scaleB Lydian Diminished scale
Modes
The same notes, starting on a different note.
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