STRINGSCALES

A lydian dominant Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

A string: A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12

D string: D#, E, F#, G, A, B, C# at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11

G string: G, A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

B string: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A, B at frets 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12

High E string: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

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A lydian dominant

The lydian dominant scale, the fourth mode of the melodic minor scale, is also called the acoustic or overtone scale: a dominant 7th sound with a raised 4th. It is the sound of a 7#11 chord (the Simpsons theme opens with it) and the standard choice over non-resolving dominants like tritone substitutes. Brighter than mixolydian, bluesier than lydian.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I

Amaj
B

II

Bmaj
C♯

iii°

C♯dim
D♯

#iv°

D♯dim
E

v

Em
F♯

vi

F♯m
G

bVII+

Gaug

Characteristic notes: D# (#4) and G (b7), the raised fourth combined with the flat seventh, the classic jazz fusion color.

Same notes, different mode

A lydian dominant uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B mixolydian b6C# locrian #2D# alteredE melodic minorF# dorian b2G lydian augmented

lydian dominant in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Over a 7#11 or any non-resolving dominant on A, this is the default modern choice: mixolydian's bVII (G) with lydian's #IV (D#).
  • Use it on tritone-substitute chords: when the bass plays a half step above the target, A lydian dominant supplies every right note.
  • Feature the #4 (D#) against the chord's 5th in the same phrase; that rub is the scale's identity (think of the Simpsons theme opening).
  • It is the fourth mode of melodic minor: borrow your melodic minor fingering starting a 4th below A.

How to play A lydian dominant on guitar

Open A gives the root outright, and the low E, G, B and high E strings are open members too, so five of six can ring under a line. D string is the only one out. Roots return at fret 5 on both E strings, which means the E-shape barre and box one begin at the same place. Box one ends at fret 9, and the A-shape barre waits at fret 12.

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