G Lydian Minor Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
G Lydian Minor in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The G Lydian Minor scale is a unique scale that blends Lydian brightness with a layer of minor-key melancholy. On Guitar, the notes are G, A, B, C#, D, Eb, F. It provides a sophisticated, bittersweet color that is perfect for modern film scores and emotive jazz solos. Commonly used in Film Scores, Jazz, Progressive. Notable players include Danny Elfman, Brad Mehldau. Use over m7#11 chords. A specialized color for emotive jazz and cinematic passages that need emotional complexity.
Notes: G, A, B, C#, D, Eb, F
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 #4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-W-W-H-H-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
About Open C Tuning
Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.
John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.
Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman
Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble
Musical Character
Lydian brightness (#4) meets minor melancholy (b3, b7) — a sophisticated contradiction. Sounds like hope filtered through sadness.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G Lydian Minor in Standard Tuning
- G Lydian Minor in Drop D
- G Lydian Minor in DADGAD
- G Lydian Minor in Open G
- G Lydian Minor in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Lydian Minor in 7-string
- G Lydian Minor in 8-string
- G Lydian Minor in Drop C
- G Lydian Minor in Drop B
- G Lydian Minor in Open D
- G Lydian Minor in Half Step Down
- G Lydian Minor in Open E
- G Lydian Minor in Open A
- G Lydian Minor in Double Drop D