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B♭ lydian dominant pentatonic Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F, Ab, Bb, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 6, 10, 12

A string: Bb, D, E, F, Ab at frets 1, 5, 7, 8, 11

D string: D, E, F, Ab, Bb, D at frets 0, 2, 3, 6, 8, 12

G string: Ab, Bb, D, E, F at frets 1, 3, 7, 9, 10

B string: D, E, F, Ab, Bb at frets 3, 5, 6, 9, 11

High E string: E, F, Ab, Bb, D, E at frets 0, 1, 4, 6, 10, 12

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Bb 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:

B♭

I

D

III

E

#IV

F

V

A♭

bVII

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

tip
  • This is a Bb7#11 chord as five notes: the root, 3rd (D), raised 4th (E), 5th (F) and flat 7th (Ab); 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 (E) against the V, a half step apart, as the scale's built-in hook.
  • Resolve bVII (Ab) down a half step when the dominant finally moves; everything else can stay where it is.

How to play B♭ lydian dominant pentatonic on guitar

Three open strings are in scale, both E strings as the augmented fourth and the D as the major third, so they colour without anchoring. Box 1 occupies fret 6. Fret 1 on the A string doubles as a root and as the A-shape barre position. Capo at fret 1 hands you the A fingering, which lets a familiar shape cover this key.

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