A Lydian Dominant Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
A Lydian Dominant in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The A Lydian Dominant scale, also known as the Acoustic scale, sounds bright, quirky, and dominant all at once. On Guitar, its notes are A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G. 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: A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G
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: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Also known as: lydian b7, overtone
About Open D Tuning
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.
Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.
Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James
Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- A Lydian Dominant in Standard Tuning
- A Lydian Dominant in Drop D
- A Lydian Dominant in DADGAD
- A Lydian Dominant in Open G
- A Lydian Dominant in Baritone (B Standard)
- A Lydian Dominant in 7-string
- A Lydian Dominant in 8-string
- A Lydian Dominant in Drop C
- A Lydian Dominant in Drop B
- A Lydian Dominant in Half Step Down
- A Lydian Dominant in Open E
- A Lydian Dominant in Open A
- A Lydian Dominant in Double Drop D
- A Lydian Dominant in Open C