Explore scales · Ukulele
A♭ mixolydian scale on ukulele
A♭ mixolydian uses A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭. Box 1 places roots on string 4 fret 1 and string 2 fret 4.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A♭ mixolydian scale on ukulele?
A♭ mixolydian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 9 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3 | A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 2 | F, G♭ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A♭ mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5, 6 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | A♭, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A♭ mixolydian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 10 notes across 4 strings, from F on the C string at fret 5 up to F on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the C string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 6, 8 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A♭ mixolydian in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the C string at fret 8 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 8 and the A string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10, 11 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 9, 11 | F, G♭, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ mixolydian is A♭ major with a minor 7th: G♭ replaces G. The scale contains a tritone between C and G♭. It has no leading tone. Compare with A♭ major to hear the lowered seventh.
When to use it
A♭ mixolydian fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. Use it over dominant progressions in D♭ major. The lowered seventh creates a dominant sound that resolves to D♭. Try it over A♭ major and C♯ major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the low string and covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in A♭ mixolydian?
A♭ mixolydian contains A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭. The scale has a major 3rd and a minor 7th. It is A♭ major with a lowered seventh. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit A♭ mixolydian?
A♭ mixolydian fits A♭ major and A♭ 5th chords. It also works over D♭ major and D♭ 5th. The ♭7 creates a dominant sound.
How does A♭ mixolydian differ from A♭ major?
A♭ mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from G to G♭. This removes the leading tone and adds a tritone between C and G♭. The result is a dominant sound.