A Lydian dominant scale
The A Lydian dominant scale is made of the notes A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G. It has 7 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7.
Modes of the melodic minor · 7 notes
- 1A
- 2B
- 3C♯
- ♯4D♯
- 5E
- 6F♯
- ♭7G
PatternW – W – W – H – W – H – W(W = whole step, H = half step)
The seven scales you get by starting from each degree of the melodic minor: the language of modern jazz, from the Lydian dominant to the altered scale. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.
Mode and chords
The fourth mode of the melodic minor: a Mixolydian scale with an augmented 4th, or a Lydian scale with a minor 7th. It is used over the 7♯11 chord, for example on the tritone substitute.
The A Lydian dominant scale is mode 4 of the E melodic minor scale: the same notes, starting from degree 4. E melodic minor scale →
Put it into practice
The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.
This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.
Chords built on the scale
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of the A Lydian dominant scale?
- The notes are A, B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G.
- What is the pattern of the A Lydian dominant scale?
- The sequence of steps is W – W – W – H – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7.
- Which scale is the A Lydian dominant scale a mode of?
- It is mode 4 of the E melodic minor scale.
- Which chords is the A Lydian dominant scale used over?
- It is used over A7, A9, A6: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.