C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, G, B, D, F#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 11A
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH-2W
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: maj9#11, Δ9#11, ^9#11
The C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio contains 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, F#). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each arpeggio shape and pattern on Guitar. Practice ascending and descending from the root note across all strings to learn the sound of this arpeggio.
When to Use the C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio
Play the C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio whenever a C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio uses 6 notes (C, E, G, B, D, F#) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio at fret 8 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 3rd fret on the A string. With 6 notes, this extended arpeggio covers a wide range. Break it into smaller two- or three-string groups and connect them gradually. Tapping can also help cover the extra reach needed.
The C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio outlines a C major chord and works perfectly over C, Cmaj7, C6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the E an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 11A) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) arpeggio using string skipping — jump over a string between each note to create wider intervals. This technique produces a more pianistic, open sound compared to sweep picking and develops precise right-hand accuracy.
Related Resources
- Harmonize C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian)
- Browse Chord Progressions
- Interactive Circle of Fifths
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) on Bass
Explore C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Other Tunings
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Sharp Eleventh (lydian) in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)