C# Lydian Dominant Seventh Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C# Lydian Dominant Seventh Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C#, F, G#, B, G
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 11A
Formula: 2W-WH-WH-8
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: 7#11, 7#4
The C# Lydian Dominant Seventh arpeggio contains 5 notes (C#, F, G#, B, G). 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# Lydian Dominant Seventh Arpeggio
Play the C# Lydian Dominant Seventh arpeggio whenever a C# Lydian Dominant Seventh 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# Lydian Dominant Seventh arpeggio uses 5 notes (C#, F, G#, B, G) 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# Lydian Dominant Seventh Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C# Lydian Dominant Seventh arpeggio at fret 9 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 4th fret on the A string. This 5-note arpeggio (C#, F, G#, B, G) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The C# Lydian Dominant Seventh arpeggio outlines a dominant seventh chord, creating the tension that wants to resolve. Use it over C#7, C#9, C#13 chords, especially in blues, funk, and jazz where dominant harmony drives the groove.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Practice the C# Lydian Dominant Seventh arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the F an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P, 7m, 11A) in any register.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the C# Lydian Dominant Seventh 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# Lydian Dominant Seventh
- Browse Chord Progressions
- Interactive Circle of Fifths
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh on Bass
Explore C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Other Tunings
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Lydian Dominant Seventh in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)