G mixolydian scale on ukulele

G mixolydian uses G, A, B, C, D, E, F. Box 1 places a root on string 2 fret 3.

GACDEFGABCGCEA123
Positions on the neck1 of 5
Practice G mixolydian scale

How it is built

G1A2B3C4D5E6F♭7

Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7

How do you play the G mixolydian scale on ukulele?

G 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 0 and the E string at fret 3.

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

Box 2 · frets 25

G mixolydian in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 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 E string at fret 3.

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

Box 3 · frets 47

G mixolydian in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 10 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the C string at fret 7.

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

Box 4 · frets 710

G mixolydian in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 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 7 and the A string at fret 10.

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

Box 5 · frets 912

G mixolydian in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 10 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 12 and the A string at fret 10.

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

Why it sounds like that

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

When to use it

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

Which position to practise

Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the second string and covers frets 0–3.

Common questions

What notes are in G mixolydian?

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

Which chords fit G mixolydian?

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

How does G mixolydian differ from G major?

G mixolydian lowers the seventh degree from F♯ to F. This removes the leading tone and adds a tritone between B and F. The result is a dominant sound.