Scales & Modes
C Lydian dominant
Neck DiagramOne of the 66 seven-note scales (#2, mode 4): 1 2 3 #4 5 6 b7 against major.
How it sounds, and where to use it
Often described as bright and bluesy at once; the overtone scale.
How usual it sounds: nearly side by side on the circle of fifths: familiar, with a touch of color. (2 gaps round the circle of fifths. See its shape.)
Same notes as G Melodic Minor: read its key signature from there.
Solo with it over:CC7Csus2C6C9C13C7♯11
Chords on C made only from this scale's notes, so every note of the scale sits safely over them.
Mode 4 of G Melodic Minor: the same notes, started from its degree 4.
Formula: W-W-W-H-W-H-W · Arpeggios in C Lydian dominant
| Step | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | D | E | F♯ | G | A | B♭ |
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | ♯4 | 5 | 6 | ♭7 |
| Interval | P1 | M2 | M3 | TT | P5 | M6 | m7 |
Degree and Interval are the same thing written two ways: how far each note is from the root (♯4 and TT here). See them all on the Intervals page → Click either one in the table to open that interval.
Modes
Two octaves across; each mode starts one scale degree later and is numbered from its own root. ▶ plays a mode.
The same notes, started from each degree: the degrees against major, the steps between them, and the notes.
| # | Degrees and steps | Notes | Name(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 123♯456♭78WWWHWHW | C D E F♯ G A B♭ C | Lydian Dominant | |
| II | 12345♭6♭78WWHWHWW | D E F♯ G A B♭ C D | Hindu | |
| III | 12♭34♭5♭6♭78WHWHWWW | E F♯ G A B♭ C D E | Locrian ♮2 | |
| IV | 1♭2♭3♭4♭5♭6♭78HWHWWWW | F♯ G A B♭ C D E F♯ | Super Locrian | |
| V | 12♭345678WHWWWWH | G A B♭ C D E F♯ G | Melodic Minor | |
| VI | 1♭2♭3456♭78HWWWWHW | A B♭ C D E F♯ G A | Dorian ♭2 | |
| VII | 123♯4♯5678WWWWHWH | B♭ C D E F♯ G A B♭ | Lydian Augmented |
Nobody has found a C Lydian dominant track yet. The root drone on the Every 7-note scale page works for any scale meanwhile.
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For more on modes, check out
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