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Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jun 24 2007, 07:01 PM

The Lydian Dominant is mode IV of the Melodic minor scale. It is so named because it looks like a regular Lydian mode scale with a flattened 7th (flattened 7th makes a scale or chord Dominant).

Another Jazz scale, and according to our own Ben Howell, its main use is over an unresolving dominant chord i.e. a vamp or similar.

Number of tones : 7

Intervals : 2,2,2,1,2,1,2

Formula : 1,2,3,#4,5,6,b7

Characteristic Chords : 7,7b5



 LydianDominant.mp3 ( 158.51K ) : 1089

Posted by: Anastasio123 Jun 27 2007, 06:14 AM

definitely has an "unresolved" feel to it but what is a "vamp" and "similar"?

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jun 27 2007, 01:48 PM

A Vamp is a chord or small sequence of chords that repeats endlessly, or at least for a long time (similar to an Ostinato in classical music). It can be used as a background for improvisation, or just as an introduction to the rest of the piece.

In the case of Lydian dominant, the feeling of unresolvedness comes from the flattened 7th - we are used to hearing the mixolydian played in passing over a V chord so our ears expect the scale to resolve to something else. The Lydian dominant also has the flattened 7th wich gives it this same kind of instability. In fact you could also think of the Lydian dominant as a Mixolydian scale with a sharpened 4th.

Posted by: Luke667 Mar 29 2008, 05:27 AM

what are all the modes of the melodic minor scale?

Posted by: Nick Kellie Mar 29 2008, 10:14 AM

MELODIC MINOR


I MELODIC MINOR

Chord type MIN/MAJ 7

II DORIAN b2

Chord type MIN 7

III LYDIAN #5

Chord type MAJ 7 #5

IV LYDIAN b7

Chord type DOM 7

V MIXOLYDIAN b6

Chord type DOM 7

VI AEOLIAN b5

Chord type MIN 7 b5

VII ALTERED (SUPER LOCRIAN)

Chord type ALT DOM (and MIN 7 b5)

Posted by: Nick Kellie Mar 29 2008, 10:18 AM

one correction to your lesson andrew - you say that lydian dominant goes with m7b5 chord - this is not true. It goes with 7b5 chords or just straight dominant 7 chords. No minor 3rd in there.

regards,
nick

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Apr 1 2008, 12:16 PM

Thanks Nick, corrected!