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B♭ mixolydian scale on bass guitar
B♭ Mixolydian uses B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭. Its Box 1 shape spans frets 1–4 with roots on string 3 fret 1 and string 1 fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ mixolydian scale on bass?
B♭ mixolydian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 9 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 A string at fret 1 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 3, 4 | F, G, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the E string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5, 6 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, A♭ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
Box 3 · frets 6–8
B♭ mixolydian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 8, 8 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 E string at fret 6 and the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8 | D, E♭ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
B♭ mixolydian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 10 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10, 11 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (A) | 8, 10, 11 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
B♭ mixolydian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ Mixolydian is the fifth mode of E♭ major. It lowers the seventh degree of B♭ major from A to A♭, creating a dominant sound. The scale follows the pattern W, W, H, W, W, H, W. Compare it with B♭ major to hear the difference.
When to use it
Use B♭ Mixolydian over B♭7, B♭9, or B♭13 chords in jazz, funk, and rock. It fits progressions like B♭7–E♭7–F7. The ♭7 A♭ adds a bluesy edge. Try it over B♭ major and E♭ major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the A string and covers frets 1–4, ideal for B♭7 grooves.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ Mixolydian?
B♭ Mixolydian contains B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, and A♭. It is B♭ major with a lowered seventh. The scale degrees are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords work with B♭ Mixolydian?
B♭ Mixolydian works over B♭7, B♭9, B♭13, and B♭ major chords. The ♭7 A♭ creates a dominant sound. It also fits over E♭ major and F minor progressions.
How does B♭ Mixolydian differ from B♭ major?
B♭ Mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from A to A♭. This change gives the scale a dominant, bluesy character. The other six notes remain identical to B♭ major.