Explore scales · Guitar
E mixolydian scale on guitar
E mixolydian is E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D. Box 2 spans frets 2–5 and puts the root on string 5, fret 7.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the E mixolydian scale on guitar?
E mixolydian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 13 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 2 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 16 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 D string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3, 5 | C♯, D, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
E mixolydian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 17 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 7 and the B string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5, 7 | C♯, D, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E mixolydian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 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 A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E 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 low E string at fret 12, the G string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
E mixolydian lowers the seventh of E major from D♯ to D. The scale is built 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7 with intervals 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10. Compare it to E major to hear the dominant colour. The ♭7 creates a dominant seventh sound over E.
When to use it
E mixolydian fits dominant seventh chords like E major and E 5th. Use it over E7 progressions in rock, blues, and funk. The ♭7 D is the colour tone against the major third G♯.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 2 first. It keeps the root under your first finger on string 5, fret 7 and covers frets 2–5 for easy access.
Common questions
What notes are in E mixolydian?
E mixolydian contains E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, and D. The scale has a major third and a flattened seventh. It is the fifth mode of A major.
Which chords fit E mixolydian?
E mixolydian works over E dominant seventh chords. The chord tones are E, G♯, B, and D. The scale adds F♯, A, and C♯ as passing tones.
How does E mixolydian differ from E major?
E mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from D♯ to D. This creates a dominant seventh sound instead of a major seventh. The rest of the notes are identical to E major.