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