Lydian Dominant Scales on Piano

The Lydian Dominant scale is the fourth mode of the melodic minor scale — combining Lydian's raised fourth with Mixolydian's flat seventh to produce a bright, open, and sophisticated dominant sound. It is the primary scale choice for non-resolving dominant chords (like the IV7 in blues or the ♭II7 tritone sub) and a staple of modern jazz improvisation.

Formula: W–W–W–H–W–H–W (whole–whole–whole–half–whole–half–whole)

Intervals: P1–M2–M3–A4–P5–M6–m7–P8

Scale degrees: 1–2–3–♯4–5–6–♭7

Sound: Bright, open, floating, sophisticated

Also known as: Lydian ♭7, Overtone scale, Acoustic scale, 4th mode of melodic minor

When to use Lydian Dominant vs. Mixolydian: Mixolydian is the default dominant scale when a V7 resolves to I. Lydian Dominant is the better choice when the dominant chord does NOT resolve down a fifth — tritone substitutions, static dominant vamps, and IV7 chords all benefit from the ♯4, which avoids the "avoid note" (natural 4) that Mixolydian carries.