A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic Piano Scale
Piano scale diagram
A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic scale is a streamlined five-note scale built directly around the structure of a dominant seventh chord. On Piano, its notes are A, C#, D#, E, G. 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: A, C#, D#, E, G
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4A, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 #3 4 b5
Formula: 4-W-H-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
How to Play A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic on Piano
On piano, the A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic scale uses 2 black keys. Start with your thumb on A and use the black keys as landmarks for consistent finger placement. Standard major or minor fingering patterns apply.
The A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic scale contains 2 sharps (C#, D#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (A-D#, C#-E) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in A. Try a A5 - E5 - G5 progression.
Piano Tips
At the piano, try voicing the A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic scale in the left hand as blocked intervals (thirds or sixths) while the right hand plays the melody. This develops your harmonic ear and comping skills simultaneously.
The A Lydian Dominant Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (A, C#, D#, E, G). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.