G Lydian Dominant Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
G Lydian Dominant in Open A — Notes and Intervals
The G Lydian Dominant scale, also known as the Acoustic scale, sounds bright, quirky, and dominant all at once. On Guitar, its notes are G, A, B, C#, D, E, F. It is widely used in jazz and animation music to solo over dominant chords that do not resolve in the traditional way. Commonly used in Jazz, Fusion, Blues, Film Scores. Notable players include Frank Zappa, Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny. Use over 7#11, 9#11 chords. Ideal for non-resolving dominant chords (the 'Simpsons chord'). Gives a sophisticated twist to blues progressions.
Notes: G, A, B, C#, D, E, F
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 #4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-W-W-H-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Open A (E-A-E-A-C#-E)
Also known as: lydian b7, overtone
About Open A Tuning
Open A tuning (E-A-E-A-C#-E) produces an A major chord when strummed open. It is structurally identical to Open G tuned up one whole step, delivering a brighter, more tense sound that works particularly well for slide guitar centered on the key of A.
Jimmy Page used Open A with a slide on Led Zeppelin's 'In My Time of Dying' from Physical Graffiti (1975). Rory Gallagher also employed Open A for his raw, energetic slide work. Many players achieve Open A by simply placing a capo at the 2nd fret in Open G tuning, which is why dedicated Open A usage is less commonly discussed. However, without a capo, Open A gives direct access to the open A string resonance and a different feel under the fingers due to the higher tension.
Notable artists: Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Delta blues players
Best for: Slide guitar in the key of A, blues playing, and situations where you need the brightness of Open G tuned up without a capo
Musical Character
Combines Lydian's floating brightness (#4) with Mixolydian's bluesy dominance (b7). The result is a scale that is both dreamy and grounded — bright without being sweet.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- ii – bII7 – I (Tritone Substitution)Jazz / Soul — Mystery & Tension
- iv – ♭VII – I (Backdoor Cadence)Jazz / Soul — Soulful & Unexpected
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G Lydian Dominant in Standard Tuning
- G Lydian Dominant in Drop D
- G Lydian Dominant in DADGAD
- G Lydian Dominant in Open G
- G Lydian Dominant in Baritone (B Standard)
- G Lydian Dominant in 7-string
- G Lydian Dominant in 8-string
- G Lydian Dominant in Drop C
- G Lydian Dominant in Drop B
- G Lydian Dominant in Open D
- G Lydian Dominant in Half Step Down
- G Lydian Dominant in Open E
- G Lydian Dominant in Double Drop D
- G Lydian Dominant in Open C