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A lydian dominant pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A lydian dominant pentatonic

The lydian dominant pentatonic condenses the lydian dominant mode into root, major 3rd, raised 4th, 5th, flat 7th: a 7#11 chord as a scale. It delivers that bright-but-bluesy Simpsons-theme color over a dominant chord in five notes, perfect when you want the #11 sound stated plainly rather than buried in a seven note run.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I

C♯

III

D♯

#IV

E

V

G

bVII

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

tip
  • This is a A7#11 chord as five notes: the root, 3rd (C#), raised 4th (D#), 5th (E) and flat 7th (G); play it over a dominant vamp and the #11 states itself.
  • Where the full lydian dominant scale can sound busy, this pentatonic keeps only the color tones; use it for sparse funk lines.
  • Rock the #IV (D#) against the V, a half step apart, as the scale's built-in hook.
  • Resolve bVII (G) down a half step when the dominant finally moves; everything else can stay where it is.

How to play A lydian dominant pentatonic on guitar

Open A string is the root and both E strings are the fifth, so a pedal is available at either end of the string set. Open G adds the minor seventh, meaning four of the six ring in key. Box 1 rests at fret 5. Roots also fall at fret 2 on the G and fret 7 on the D, with the shift out of box 1 at fret 9.

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