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