Performance ideas

Dominant in scalar senses refers to a major third with a flatted seventh; for example, the Mixolydian scale is spelled 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 and a Dominant chord is spelled 1 3 5 b7. Phrygian Dominant combines the b2 from the Phrygian sound and the b7 from the Dominant sound.


Actually, dominant doesn't really mean anything in reference to scales. Scale names like phrygian dominant and lydian dominant (or whatever other scales you want to name with the word dominant) aren't set-in-stone names by any means nor are they universally accepted. It's slang terminology when used to name scales. Yes, the name makes sense because it draws the connection between the scale and the fact that the chord derived from it is dominant in quality. Dominant either refers to a dominant chord (dominant 7th and it's many extensions/alterations) or a chord that has a dominant function in harmony.