Explore scales · Guitar
A mixolydian scale on guitar
A mixolydian is A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G. Box 1 spans frets 0–3 and puts the root on string 6, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A mixolydian scale on guitar?
A mixolydian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 15 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the G string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A mixolydian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 13 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7 | C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A mixolydian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9, 10 | E, F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 8, 10 | F♯, G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A mixolydian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
A mixolydian lowers the seventh of A major from G♯ to G. The scale is built 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7 with intervals 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10. Compare it to A major to hear the dominant colour. The ♭7 creates a dominant seventh sound over A.
When to use it
A mixolydian fits dominant seventh chords like A major and A 5th. Use it over A7 progressions in rock, blues, and funk. The ♭7 G is the colour tone against the major third C♯.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger on string 6, fret 5 and covers frets 0–3 for easy access.
Common questions
What notes are in A mixolydian?
A mixolydian contains A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G. The scale has a major third and a flattened seventh. It is the fifth mode of D major.
Which chords fit A mixolydian?
A mixolydian works over A dominant seventh chords. The chord tones are A, C♯, E, and G. The scale adds B, D, and F♯ as passing tones.
How does A mixolydian differ from A major?
A mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from G♯ to G. This creates a dominant seventh sound instead of a major seventh. The rest of the notes are identical to A major.