Mixolydian Mode Guitar Scales

The Mixolydian Mode Guitar Scale

This mode is a bit different from the other modal scales. It is neither major nor minor, but a dominant mode.

Construction

This is not surprising since the Mixolydian Scale are built on the 5th degree of the major scale.

This scale is a lot like the Major Scale (Ionian Mode) except that it has a flatted seventh note. The pattern of whole and half steps is as follows

W W H W W H W

If you follow this pattern, you will create a scale which begins on the 5th note of the major scale and has the same key signature as the major scale.

EXAMPLES

G Mixolydian-- G A B C D E F G (same key signature as C Major)

A Mixolydian-- A B C# D E F# G A (same key signature as D Major)

***NOTE: There are 2 ways to think about the construction of the Mixolydian Mode Guitar Scale Scale:

1. Begin with the major scale of the same name and flat the 7th note.

For Example, E Mixolydian would be E F# G# A B C# D E (The E Major scale with a flatted 7th).

2. Begin with the 5th note of the "tonic" major scale and write a scale that has the same key signature as the tonic. Example--the C Mixolydian scale begins on the 4th note of the F major scale and has the same key signature as the F major scale--C E D F G A Bb C.

Using the Mixolydian Scale Mode

The Mixolydian scale is played over dominant 7th chords and all of the extensions of the dominant 7. A review of the formulas for Extended Chords can be found on this site.

The Mixolydian scale is a favorite among rockers and shredders."Every Rose has its Thorn" by Poison is one good example. In general, this is a good scale to use if you want a unique "happy" sound.

Free Printable Scales Charts

These scale charts are in the formats of traditional notation AND guitar tablature. They are pdf files so you will need the free Adobe reader to view and print them. You can download the reader free from the Adobe website. Please remember to expand the viewer to 100%.

Each file has charts for 4 different keys. I trust that the charts will be useful to you. Have fun!

Mixolydian Mode--Keys of G G DA

Mixolydian Mode--Keys of E B F# C#

Mixolydian Mode--Keys of Ab Eb Bb F

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