Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ mixolydian scale on ukulele
B♭ mixolydian uses B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭. Box 1 places roots on string 4 fret 3 and string 1 fret 1.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the B♭ mixolydian scale on ukulele?
B♭ mixolydian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 10 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 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2, 3 | C, D, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
B♭ mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 9 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the G string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 3 (C) | 2, 3, 5 | D, E♭, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 4 | G, A♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
B♭ mixolydian in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 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 E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, E♭ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7, 8 | F, G, A♭ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | B♭, C |
| 1 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
B♭ mixolydian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 10 notes across 4 strings, from G on the C string at fret 7 up to G on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 8, 10 | G, A♭, B♭ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 10–12
B♭ mixolydian in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the C string at fret 10 up to A♭ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 12 | B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 10, 11 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 11 | G, A♭ |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ mixolydian is B♭ major with a minor 7th: A♭ replaces A. The scale contains a tritone between D and A♭. It has no leading tone. Compare with B♭ major to hear the lowered seventh.
When to use it
B♭ mixolydian fits B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords. Use it over dominant progressions in E♭ major. The lowered seventh creates a dominant sound that resolves to E♭. Try it over B♭ major and E♭ 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 B♭ mixolydian?
B♭ mixolydian contains B♭, C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭. The scale has a major 3rd and a minor 7th. It is B♭ major with a lowered seventh. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit B♭ mixolydian?
B♭ mixolydian fits B♭ major and B♭ 5th chords. It also works over E♭ major and E♭ 5th. The ♭7 creates a dominant sound.
How does B♭ mixolydian differ from B♭ major?
B♭ mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from A to A♭. This removes the leading tone and adds a tritone between D and A♭. The result is a dominant sound.