stringery

A mixolydian

Major with a flat 7th: rock, blues and folk. Dominant family

Major and laid-back, with swagger.

Root position4 of 5

571012

Square: the root. In colour: the flat 7th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. ARW
  2. B2W
  3. C♯3H
  4. D4W
  5. E5W
  6. F♯6H
  7. G♭7W

Lowering the 7th of the major scale by one fret removes its pull home, so the music relaxes instead of resolving.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckA mixolydian

12345GCEA571012♭7R23456♭73456♭7R256♭7R2345R23456♭7R
12345GCEA571012♭7R23456♭73456♭7R256♭7R2345R23456♭7R

Position 4 is outlined, frets 9 to 12. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The A mixolydian key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. AI
  2. Bmii
  3. C♯dimiii°
  4. DIV
  5. Emv
  6. F♯mvi
  7. GVII

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • D major

    Same notes, but home is D: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • B minor

    Same notes, but home is B: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • E dorian

    Same notes, but home is E: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • G lydian

    Same notes, but home is G: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • F♯ phrygian

    Same notes, but home is F♯: dark, spanish, menacing.