lydian dominant

theoryLID-ee-an DOM-in-antfrom English

A scale combining the raised fourth of the Lydian mode with the flat seventh of the Mixolydian mode,‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍ widely used in jazz and film scoring.

In Depth

The Lydian dominant scale (also called the Lydian b7, acoustic scale, or overtone scale) contains the notes 1-2-3-#4-5-6-b7 — essentially a major scale with both a raised fourth and a lowered seventh.‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍ This combination produces a bright, floating quality from the raised fourth while the flat seventh adds a bluesy, unresolved tension. The scale naturally occurs as the fourth mode of melodic minor, built on the scale's fourth degree. In jazz, the Lydian dominant is the standard scale for dominant seventh chords with a #11 (the "sharp eleven" sound ubiquitous in modern jazz voicings). It is also the scale that most closely corresponds to the natural overtone series of a vibrating string, which is why it is sometimes called the "acoustic scale" or "overtone scale." Film composers use it extensively to create a sense of wonder, vastness, or heroic aspiration — the "Lydian lift" of the raised fourth combined with the dominant seventh's forward motion creates a uniquely cinematic sound.

Did you know?

The Lydian dominant scale matches the natural overtone series more closely than any other seven-note scale, which is why some theorists argue it — not the major scale — is nature's own scale.

Related Terms

lydian mode jazz

More in Theory

Browse all

accidental

A sharp, flat, or natural sign that alters a note from the prevailing key signature.

accidentals explained

Symbols placed before notes to raise or lower their pitch by a semitone or return them to their natural state

acoustic

Relating to sound or the properties of sound, especially music produced without electronic amplification.

Aeolian mode

The natural minor scale, with the pattern W-H-W-W-H-W-W, producing the most common minor tonality in Western music.

aleatory

Music in which some element of the composition is left to chance or to the performer's discretion.

alto

The second-highest voice type, or an instrument pitched between soprano and tenor.

amplitude

The measure of a sound wave's intensity, perceived as loudness or volume.

anacrusis

One or more notes before the first full bar of a piece, also called a pickup or upbeat.

Keep Exploring

lydian mode→jazz→