Scale · Guitar

D Lydian Dominant Scale · Guitar

DEF♯G♯ABC
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Fretboard map · Guitar

Find every available note across the first 12 frets.

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E2
A2
D3
G3
B3
E4

Notes

D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C

Root: D

Intervals

1 · 2 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7

How it is built

This scale starts on D and applies the intervals 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. The result contains 7 distinct pitch classes per octave.

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Guide and musical context

About D Lydian Dominant Guitar Scale

D Lydian Dominant Guitar scale uses the notes D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C. Its character is bright and dominant at once because it combines sharp four and flat seven.

Character and sound

Bright and dominant at once because it combines sharp four and flat seven.

Musical context and history

Lydian dominant is the fourth mode of modern melodic minor and holds an important place in jazz improvisation vocabulary.

How and where it is used

Use it over non-resolving dominants, 7♯11 chords and harmony combining dominant function with Lydian color.

On guitar, the same pitch collection can appear in several fretboard positions. Favor comfortable fingerings, guide tones and open strings when useful; the map shows all available positions across the first twelve frets. Everything you see and hear on this page comes from the same note set shown above.

Harmonic and musical relationships

A practical way to understand this scale is to compare it with the major and minor scales starting on D. The altered notes are exactly what create its characteristic color.

The formula on this page is 1 · 2 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7 and, from D, produces the notes D · E · F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the D Lydian Dominant Guitar scale?

The notes are D, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C.

What is its interval formula?

The formula is 1 · 2 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7.

How does it sound and what is it used for?

Bright and dominant at once because it combines sharp four and flat seven. Use it over non-resolving dominants, 7♯11 chords and harmony combining dominant function with Lydian color.

How can I check it on Guitar?

Use the interactive diagram on this page and press Play or Note by note. The highlighted positions, written notes and playback all use the same pitch collection.