Explore scales · Guitar
C♯ mixolydian scale on guitar
C♯ mixolydian is C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B. Box 2 spans frets 4–7 and puts the root on string 5, fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the C♯ mixolydian scale on guitar?
C♯ mixolydian in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2, 4 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3, 4 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
C♯ mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
C♯ mixolydian in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 17 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the G string at fret 6 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
C♯ mixolydian in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
C♯ mixolydian in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the D string at fret 11 and the B string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ mixolydian lowers the seventh of C♯ major from B♯ to B. The scale is built 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7 with intervals 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10. Compare it to C♯ major to hear the dominant colour. The ♭7 creates a dominant seventh sound over C♯.
When to use it
C♯ mixolydian fits dominant seventh chords like C♯ major and C♯ 5th. Use it over C♯7 progressions in rock, blues, and funk. The ♭7 B is the colour tone against the major third E♯.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first. It keeps the root under your first finger on string 5, fret 4 and covers frets 4–7 for easy access.
Common questions
What notes are in C♯ mixolydian?
C♯ mixolydian contains C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B. The scale has a major third and a flattened seventh. It is the fifth mode of F♯ major. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit C♯ mixolydian?
C♯ mixolydian works over C♯ dominant seventh chords. The chord tones are C♯, E♯, G♯, and B. The scale adds D♯, F♯, and A♯ as passing tones.
How does C♯ mixolydian differ from C♯ major?
C♯ mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from B♯ to B. This creates a dominant seventh sound instead of a major seventh. The rest of the notes are identical to C♯ major.