stringery

E♭ mixolydian

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

Major and laid-back, with swagger.

Root position2 of 5

571012

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

Built from

  1. E♭RW
  2. F2W
  3. G3H
  4. A♭4W
  5. B♭5W
  6. C6H
  7. D♭♭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 neckE♭ mixolydian

12345GCEA5710123456♭7R236♭7R2345623456♭7R56♭7R234
12345GCEA5710123456♭7R236♭7R2345623456♭7R56♭7R234

Position 2 is outlined, frets 3 to 6. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The E♭ mixolydian key

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

  1. E♭I
  2. Fmii
  3. Gdimiii°
  4. A♭IV
  5. B♭mv
  6. Cmvi
  7. D♭VII

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • A♭ major

    Same notes, but home is A♭: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • F minor

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

  • B♭ dorian

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

  • D♭ lydian

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

  • C phrygian

    Same notes, but home is C: dark, spanish, menacing.