Explore scales · Bass
A♭ mixolydian scale on bass guitar
A♭ Mixolydian uses A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭. Its Box 1 shape spans frets 1–4 with roots on string 4 fret 4 and string 1 fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ mixolydian scale on bass?
A♭ mixolydian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3, 4 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 4–6
A♭ mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D♭ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4 and the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 6 | D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | G♭, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6 | C, D♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A♭ mixolydian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 10 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the E string at fret 6 up to E♭ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 6, 8 | D♭, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ mixolydian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to G♭ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A♭ mixolydian in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 9 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 11 and the G string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13 | D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ Mixolydian is the fifth mode of D♭ major. It lowers the seventh degree of A♭ major from G to G♭, creating a dominant sound. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, H, W. Compare it with A♭ major to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use A♭ Mixolydian over A♭7, A♭9, or A♭13 chords in jazz, funk, and rock. It fits progressions like A♭7–D♭7–E♭7. The ♭7 G♭ adds a bluesy edge. Try it over A♭ major and D♭ major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the E string and covers frets 1–4, ideal for A♭7 grooves.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ Mixolydian?
A♭ Mixolydian contains A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, and G♭. It is A♭ major with a lowered seventh. The scale degrees are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords work with A♭ Mixolydian?
A♭ Mixolydian works over A♭7, A♭9, A♭13, and A♭ major chords. The ♭7 G♭ creates a dominant sound. It also fits over D♭ major and E♭ minor progressions.
How does A♭ Mixolydian differ from A♭ major?
A♭ Mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from G to G♭. This change gives the scale a dominant, bluesy character. The other six notes remain identical to A♭ major.