F# Lydian Dominant Piano Scale
Piano scale diagram
F# Lydian Dominant Scale — Notes and Intervals
The F# Lydian Dominant scale, also known as the Acoustic scale, sounds bright, quirky, and dominant all at once. On Piano, its notes are F#, G#, A#, C, C#, D#, E. 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: F#, G#, A#, C, C#, D#, E
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
How to Play F# Lydian Dominant on Piano
On piano, the F# Lydian Dominant scale uses 5 black keys. With several black keys involved, let the thumb naturally fall on white keys where possible. Practice hands separately at first, paying attention to smooth thumb-under transitions.
The F# Lydian Dominant scale contains 5 sharps (F#, G#, A#, C#, D#). Its relative minor is D# minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the F# Lydian Dominant scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (F#-A#, G#-C) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on F# to let the characteristic intervals of the Lydian Dominant scale come through clearly.
Piano Tips
On piano, practice the F# Lydian Dominant scale hands together in contrary motion (one hand ascending, the other descending). This builds independence and strengthens your awareness of the scale's symmetry.
The F# Lydian Dominant scale contains 7 notes (F#, G#, A#, C, C#, D#, E). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.