G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Open C tuning — fretboard diagram
G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Open C — Notes and Intervals
The G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic scale is a streamlined five-note scale built directly around the structure of a dominant seventh chord. On Guitar, its notes are G#, C, D, D#, F#. It is a highly efficient tool for jazz and bebop players who need to navigate rapid harmonic changes with rhythmic precision and clarity. Commonly used in Jazz, Bebop, Fusion. Notable players include Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino. Use over 7#11, 9#11 chords. Efficient for fast bebop lines over non-resolving dominant chords.
Notes: G#, C, D, D#, F#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4A, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 #3 4 b5
Formula: 4-W-H-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open C (C-G-C-G-C-E)
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
Built around the dominant 7th chord structure with a #4, allowing rapid navigation of altered dominant harmony in a pentatonic framework.
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Drop D
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in DADGAD
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Open G
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in 7-string
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in 8-string
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Drop C
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Drop B
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Open D
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Open E
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Open A
- G# Lydian Dominant Pentatonic in Double Drop D