B Lydian Dominant
Ukulele scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
B Lydian Dominant Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Lydian Dominant scale, also known as the Acoustic scale, sounds bright, quirky, and dominant all at once. On Ukulele, its notes are B, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A. 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: B, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A
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
Also known as: lydian b7, overtone
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.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Fusion, Blues, Film Scores
Notable players: Frank Zappa, Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny
How to Use the B Lydian Dominant Scale
Use over 7#11, 9#11 chords. Ideal for non-resolving dominant chords (the 'Simpsons chord'). Gives a sophisticated twist to blues progressions.
Origin & Background
Also called the Acoustic scale or Overtone scale because it closely matches the natural harmonic series.
Related Scales
Lydian Dominant is the 4th mode of the Melodic Minor scale (Acoustic scale). View B Melodic minor scale
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- ii – bII7 – I (Tritone Substitution)Jazz / Soul — Mystery & Tension
- iv – ♭VII – I (Backdoor Cadence)Jazz / Soul — Soulful & Unexpected
The B Lydian Dominant scale contains 7 notes (B, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Ukulele with different tunings and fret ranges.