Lydian Dominant

Lydian Dominant Scale

The lydian dominant scale is a lydian scale with a b7:

1   2   3   #4   5   6   b7

It is also the 4th mode of the melodic minor scale. 

While we haven't talked about modes of non-diatonic scales, this one is important because of its usability over dominant chords, which as we have just learned in our prior lesson, are the king of all chords.

Essentially, you can play the lydian dominant scale from the root of any dominant chord, especially if it contains a #11. 

Because of the half-step in between the #4 and 5 along with the b7, this scale sounds a bit jazzier or bluesier than the lydian scale or mixolydian scale. We will go much more into detail about additional uses of this scale in the improvising lessons to follow.  

Attached are all five patterns of the Lydian dominant scale.  Learn them the same way you have always done.  Get familiar with this cool scale.

Jam Tracks:

1.  C lydian dominant - IV7 - V7

2.  Eb lydian dominant - IV7 - V7

3.  C lydian dominant - C9 vamp