what is Lydian Dominant scale?

The Lydian b7 scale, sometimes referred to as the overtone scale or acoustic scale is more generally named Lydian dominant scale. This is the fourth mode of the melodic minor scale and a great choice when you want to bring out the sharp eleventh (#11) in your dominant jazz guitar lines. The formula is 1 – 2 – 3 – #4 – 5 – 6 – b7. its simple way in form given below.

The Lydian Dominant Scale is often referred to as the Lydian b7 Scale, but goes also under the names Acoustic Scale, Overtone Scale as well as Bartok Scale (from the Hungarian composer Bela Bartok who used the scale). The scale has, for example, been present in modern classical music with a touch of folk music and can deliver a kind of mystic feeling. It is also popular in jazz music with a touch of blues.

The scale differs from the regular Lydian Mode by including a minor seventh, which is the reason for it being called “dominant” (see Dominant scales). Since it includes the minor seventh, the scale is suitable for playing over a dominant seventh chord and especially the 7(#11) chord. The Lydian b7 can be seen as the fourth mode of the Melodic Minor Scale.

How is Built the Lydian b7 Mode?

The Lydian dominant scale is made of seven notes, the formula is tonic (1) – Second (2) – major third (3) – Augmented fourth (#4) – Perfect fifth (5) – Sixth (6) and minor seventh (b7).

How to Play the Lydian Dominant Scale on Guitar?

The suggested positions below show how to play the Lydian dominant scale on guitar using one-octave and two octave shapes but also 3-notes per string shapes (3NPS).