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Scale type

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.

Each key below opens the full reference entry — keyboard diagram, audio, fingerings, and notation.

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.

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All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.

Lydian Dominant Scale in All 18 Keys

Select any key to see the full scale with notes, fingering, audio, and practice tips.

C Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: C – D – E – F♯ – G – A – B♭
C1C2C3CDEGACC6C7C8F♯B♭
C♯ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B
C1C2C3C4E♯F♯♯BC5C6C7C8C♯D♯G♯A♯C♯
D♭ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭
C1C2C3C♭C4FGC5C6C7C8D♭E♭A♭B♭D♭
D Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C
C1C2C3C4DEABCDC6C7C8F♯G♯
D♯ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯♯ – A♯ – C♯ – B♯
C1C2C3C4E♯F♯♯G♯♯C5B♯C7C8D♯A♯C♯D♯
E♭ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: E♭ – F – G – A – B♭ – C – D♭
C1C2C3C4FGACC6C7C8E♭B♭D♭E♭
E Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: E – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D
C1C2C3C4EBC5DEC6C7C8F♯G♯A♯C♯
F Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: F – G – A – B – C – D – E♭
C1C2C3C4FGABCDFC6C7C8E♭
F♯ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – C♯ – D♯ – E – B♯
C1C2C3C4C5EB♯C7C8F♯G♯A♯C♯D♯F♯
G♭ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F♭
C1C2C3C4CF♭C6C7C8G♭A♭B♭D♭E♭G♭
G Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: G – A – B – C♯ – D – E – F
C1C2C3C4GABC5DEFGC6C7C8C♯
G♯ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: G♯ – A♯ – C♯♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯ – B♯
C1C2C3C4C5C♯♯E♯B♯C7C8G♯A♯D♯F♯G♯
A♭ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: A♭ – B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F – G♭
C1C2C3C4CDFC6C7C8A♭B♭E♭G♭A♭
A Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: A – B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G
C1C2C3C4ABC5EGAC6C7C8C♯D♯F♯
A♯ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: A♯ – C♯♯ – D♯♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯ – B♯
C1C2C3C4C5C♯♯D♯♯E♯F♯♯B♯C7C8A♯G♯A♯
B♭ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: B♭ – C – D – E – F – G – A♭
C1C2C3C4CDEFGC6C7C8B♭A♭B♭
B Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯ – G♯ – A
C1C2C3C4BC5E♯ABC6C7C8C♯D♯F♯G♯
C♭ Lydian Dominant ScaleNotes: C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭
C1C2C3C♭C4C♭C5FB♭♭C6C7C8D♭E♭G♭A♭
Want the full theory? Intervals, construction, and how this scale connects to others.Modes Guide ›