Mixolydian scale · 7 notes
A Mixolydian scale on guitar
The A Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ and G. A major scale with a ♭7: the bluesy-but-major sound of classic rock.
Notes
- A
- B
- C♯
- D
- E
- F♯
- G
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – W – H – W – W – H – W
Sound
Major, bluesy and laid-back
A Mixolydian on the whole fretboard
Every A Mixolydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, A, is shown in red so you can always find home.
A shape to learn first
You don’t need the whole neck at once. This hand position is anchored on a root note on the 6th (low E) string, which is how most guitarists find a scale in any key.
Root on the 6th (low E) string
A at fret 5. 4th position: frets 4–8.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of A Mixolydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from A, the A Mixolydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 2 sharps (C♯ and F♯). Compared with A major, it has G (♭7) instead of G♯.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | root | 0 |
| 2 | B | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | C♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | F♯ | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | G | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in A Mixolydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to A Mixolydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in A Mixolydian.
- IAA · C♯ · EA7
- iiBmB · D · F♯Bm7
- iii°C♯°C♯ · E · GC♯m7♭5
- IVDD · F♯ · ADmaj7
- vEmE · G · BEm7
- viF♯mF♯ · A · C♯F♯m7
- ♭VIIGG · B · DGmaj7
Progressions to try
- A – G – D I–♭VII–IV · classic rock
- A – G I–♭VII
- A – Em – G – D I–v–♭VII–IV
How to use A Mixolydian
Reach for it over dominant 7th chords, classic rock, jam bands, country and blues in a major feel. Its sound is major, bluesy and laid-back.
Tip: Mixolydian = major pentatonic + the 4th + the ♭7. Use it over a dominant 7th chord for a sound between major and blues.
- A Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of D major, played from its fifth note, A. See D major.
Where to find A on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every A between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with A |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 5 |
| B (2nd) | 10 |
| G (3rd) | 2 |
| D (4th) | 7 |
| A (5th) | 0, 12 |
| Low E (6th) | 5 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as A Mixolydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
A Mixolydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the A Mixolydian scale?
The A Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ and G. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 2 sharps (C♯ and F♯).
What chords are in A Mixolydian?
Harmonising the A Mixolydian scale in thirds gives A (I), Bm (ii), C♯° (iii°), D (IV), Em (v), F♯m (vi) and G (♭VII).
Where do you play the A Mixolydian scale on guitar?
The root, A, is at fret 5 on the low E string and fret 0 and 12 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 4–8, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as A Mixolydian?
A Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of D major, played from its fifth note, A.