F Lydian Dominant Guitar Scale — Drop C
Guitar scale in Drop C tuning — fretboard diagram
F Lydian Dominant in Drop C — Notes and Intervals
The F Lydian Dominant scale, also known as the Acoustic scale, sounds bright, quirky, and dominant all at once. On Guitar, its notes are F, G, A, B, C, D, Eb. 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, B, C, D, Eb
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: Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D)
Also known as: lydian b7, overtone
About Drop C Tuning
Drop C tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D) drops every string one whole step below Drop D, delivering a massive, brutal low-end that has defined the sound of modern metalcore, post-hardcore, and nu-metal. The low C string provides earth-shaking power chords with a single finger while maintaining familiar Drop D shapes — just two frets lower.
From System of a Down's iconic riffs to Killswitch Engage's crushing breakdowns, Drop C has become the standard tuning for heavy music that needs to sound bigger than standard Drop D. It bridges the gap between standard guitar territory and the extended range of 7-string guitars, making it accessible to players who want heavier tones without buying a new instrument.
Notable artists: System of a Down, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red
Best for: Modern metalcore breakdowns, heavy power chord riffs, nu-metal grooves, and aggressive rhythm playing
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- F Lydian Dominant in Standard Tuning
- F Lydian Dominant in Drop D
- F Lydian Dominant in DADGAD
- F Lydian Dominant in Open G
- F Lydian Dominant in Baritone (B Standard)
- F Lydian Dominant in 7-string
- F Lydian Dominant in 8-string
- F Lydian Dominant in Drop B
- F Lydian Dominant in Open D
- F Lydian Dominant in Half Step Down
- F Lydian Dominant in Open E
- F Lydian Dominant in Open A
- F Lydian Dominant in Double Drop D
- F Lydian Dominant in Open C