guitarchords

Scale degree map

Every chord in a key has a job: it feels like home, it moves away, or it builds tension that wants to resolve. Tap a chord to hear it and see where it wants to go.

C Lydian, major with a ♯4. Bright and floating. The ♯4 keeps it hovering instead of landing. Same notes as G major.

The seven chords of C Lydian

tap to hear
CLydian
strongest
common
where I goes · thicker = stronger pullchords that lead into I

Tonic

C major

The launchpad — feels bright, grounded but weightless

All C voicings

Home, but one that faces upward. The raised 4th in the scale means even the tonic feels like it's about to lift off. Rest here — then let II pull you into the air.

Where it wants to go

Heard in

  • Joe Satriani — "Flying in a Blue Dream"
  • John Williams — "Superman Theme"

Play C major on guitar

Start with the plain chord, then colour it.
EADGBe32112345
  • CRoot
  • E3
  • G5

Colour it

dashed = needs a note from outside C Lydian
Base
Colour
Richness
Suspension
CClean, simple, openIn C Lydian

Go further in C Lydian

How phrases end: the moves that create (or deny) resolution.

  • IIDIC
    Lydian FloatII resolves inward to I. Unique to Lydian — the upward step that turns back home. Loops endlessly without fatigue.
  • ICIIDviiBmIC
    Film PhraseI–II–vii–I. The signature Lydian arc — float up, descend through the half-step, home. John Williams in four chords.
  • VGIC
    AuthenticV–I. Same as major — strong and final. Less characteristic than II–I in Lydian, but grounds the mode when you need it.
  • viiBmIC
    Half-Step Approachvii–I. Minor chord a semitone below rising to the tonic. Approaches from below instead of above — unusual resolution, very cinematic.