C# Lydian #9 Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
What chords fit over C# Lydian #9?
Open C# Lydian #9 HarmonizerC# Lydian #9 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Lydian #9 scale is an exotic and aggressive variation of the Lydian mode. On Guitar, the notes are C#, E, F, G, G#, A#, C. It features a wide melodic gap that gives it a fusion edge, perfect for high-energy solos and modern jazz compositions that require a sharp, biting sound. Commonly used in Fusion, Modern Jazz, Progressive. Notable players include Allan Holdsworth, Brett Garsed. Use over 7#9#11 chords. A specialized fusion tool for adding a sharp, biting edge to Lydian-based lines.
Notes: C#, E, F, G, G#, A#, C
Intervals: 1P, 2A, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 #2 3 #4 5 6 7
Formula: WH-H-W-H-W-W-H
Number of notes: 7
Musical Character
An exotic Lydian variant with a #9 that creates a wide melodic gap — aggressive and biting, perfect for high-energy fusion solos.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Fusion, Modern Jazz, Progressive
Notable players: Allan Holdsworth, Brett Garsed
How to Use the C# Lydian #9 Scale
Use over 7#9#11 chords. A specialized fusion tool for adding a sharp, biting edge to Lydian-based lines.
Origin & Background
A modern synthetic scale used in fusion guitar for its aggressive, angular character.
How to Play C# Lydian #9 on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 9 on the 6th (low E) to find your C# root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is 4th fret on the A string.
The C# Lydian #9 scale contains 3 sharps (C#, G#, A#). Its relative minor is A# minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Begin by playing the C# Lydian #9 scale ascending and descending at 100 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (C#-F, E-G) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C# to let the characteristic intervals of the Lydian #9 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in fusion contexts.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the C# Lydian #9 scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently. Aim for a aggressive quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The C# Lydian #9 scale contains 7 notes (C#, E, F, G, G#, A#, C). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C# Lydian #9
The C# Lydian #9 scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore C# Lydian #9 Further
- Harmonize the C# Lydian #9 scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- C# Lydian #9 on Ukulele
- C# Lydian #9 on Bass
- C# Lydian #9 on Piano
Explore C# Lydian #9 in Other Tunings
- C# Lydian #9 in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Lydian #9 in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C# Lydian #9 in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C# Lydian #9 in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C# Lydian #9 in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C# Lydian #9 in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C# Lydian #9 in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C# Lydian #9 in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C# Lydian #9 in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C# Lydian #9 in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C# Lydian #9 in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C# Lydian #9 in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C# Lydian #9 in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Lydian #9 in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)