E Lydian Dominant Guitar Scale

E Lydian Dominant in Open C — Notes and Intervals

The E Lydian Dominant scale, also known as the Acoustic scale, sounds bright, quirky, and dominant all at once. On Guitar, its notes are E, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D. 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: E, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D

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 C (C-G-C-G-C-E)

Also known as: lydian b7, overtone

About Open C Tuning

Open C tuning (C-G-C-G-C-E) produces a C major chord when strummed open, with an enormous bass depth from the low C string (two whole steps below standard E). The tuning spans a vast tonal range that gives compositions an almost orchestral scope, making it a favorite for both delicate fingerstyle and crushing heavy music.

John Butler's 'Ocean' — one of the most famous modern fingerstyle compositions — is performed in Open C, showcasing the tuning's incredible dynamic range from thundering bass to shimmering harmonics. Devin Townsend uses Open C extensively across his catalog for its massive, wall-of-sound potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Friends' from Led Zeppelin III. Soundgarden also explored Open C. The three C strings and two G strings create powerful octave resonances that make even simple chord shapes sound huge.

Notable artists: John Butler, Devin Townsend, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Soundgarden, William Ackerman

Best for: Cinematic fingerstyle compositions, progressive metal walls of sound, post-rock textures, and any music that needs enormous tonal range from deep bass to bright treble

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

• E Lydian Dominant in Standard Tuning
• E Lydian Dominant in Drop D
• E Lydian Dominant in DADGAD
• E Lydian Dominant in Open G
• E Lydian Dominant in Baritone (B Standard)
• E Lydian Dominant in 7-string
• E Lydian Dominant in 8-string
• E Lydian Dominant in Drop C
• E Lydian Dominant in Drop B
• E Lydian Dominant in Open D
• E Lydian Dominant in Half Step Down
• E Lydian Dominant in Open E
• E Lydian Dominant in Open A
• E Lydian Dominant in Double Drop D

← All Guitar scales in Open C tuning