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