F mixolydian scale on ukulele

F mixolydian uses F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭. Box 1 places roots on string 3 fret 5 and string 2 fret 1.

GAB♭CDE♭FGAB♭CGCEA123
Positions on the neck1 of 5
Practice F mixolydian scale

How it is built

F1G2A3B♭4C5D6E♭♭7

Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7

How do you play the F mixolydian scale on ukulele?

F mixolydian in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 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 E string at fret 1.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)0, 2, 3G, A, B♭
3 (C)0, 2, 3C, D, E♭
2 (E)1, 3F, G
1 (A)0, 1, 3A, B♭, C

Box 2 · frets 25

F mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 10 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 C string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)2, 3, 5A, B♭, C
3 (C)2, 3, 5D, E♭, F
2 (E)3, 5G, A
1 (A)3, 5C, D

Box 3 · frets 58

F 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 C string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)5, 7, 8C, D, E♭
3 (C)5, 7F, G
2 (E)5, 6, 8A, B♭, C
1 (A)5, 6, 8D, E♭, F

Box 4 · frets 710

F 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 G string at fret 10 and the A string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)7, 8, 10D, E♭, F
3 (C)7, 9, 10G, A, B♭
2 (E)8, 10C, D
1 (A)8, 10F, G

Box 5 · frets 912

F mixolydian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 9 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the G string at fret 10.

Every note in this box, string by string
StringFretsNotes
4 (G)10, 12F, G
3 (C)9, 10, 12A, B♭, C
2 (E)10, 11D, E♭
1 (A)10, 12G, A

Why it sounds like that

F mixolydian is F major with a minor 7th: E♭ replaces E. The scale contains a tritone between A and E♭. It has no leading tone. Compare with F major to hear the lowered seventh.

When to use it

F mixolydian fits F major and F 5th chords. Use it over dominant progressions in B♭ major. The lowered seventh creates a dominant sound that resolves to B♭. Try it over F major and B♭ 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 F mixolydian?

F mixolydian contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E♭. The scale has a major 3rd and a minor 7th. It is F major with a lowered seventh.

Which chords fit F mixolydian?

F mixolydian fits F major and F 5th chords. It also works over B♭ major and B♭ 5th. The ♭7 creates a dominant sound.

How does F mixolydian differ from F major?

F mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from E to E♭. This removes the leading tone and adds a tritone between A and E♭. The result is a dominant sound.