Mixolydian scale · 7 notes
B Mixolydian scale on guitar
The B Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯ and A. A major scale with a ♭7: the bluesy-but-major sound of classic rock.
Notes
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – W – H – W – W – H – W
Sound
Major, bluesy and laid-back
B Mixolydian on the whole fretboard
Every B Mixolydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, B, 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
B at fret 7. 6th position: frets 6–10.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of B Mixolydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from B, the B Mixolydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 4 sharps (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯). Compared with B major, it has A (♭7) instead of A♯.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | root | 0 |
| 2 | C♯ | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | D♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| 4 | E | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | F♯ | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | G♯ | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | A | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in B Mixolydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to B Mixolydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in B Mixolydian.
- IBB · D♯ · F♯B7
- iiC♯mC♯ · E · G♯C♯m7
- iii°D♯°D♯ · F♯ · AD♯m7♭5
- IVEE · G♯ · BEmaj7
- vF♯mF♯ · A · C♯F♯m7
- viG♯mG♯ · B · D♯G♯m7
- ♭VIIAA · C♯ · EAmaj7
Progressions to try
- B – A – E I–♭VII–IV · classic rock
- B – A I–♭VII
- B – F♯m – A – E I–v–♭VII–IV
How to use B 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.
- B Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of E major, played from its fifth note, B. See E major.
Where to find B on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every B between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with B |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 7 |
| B (2nd) | 0, 12 |
| G (3rd) | 4 |
| D (4th) | 9 |
| A (5th) | 2 |
| Low E (6th) | 7 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as B Mixolydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
B Mixolydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the B Mixolydian scale?
The B Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯ and A. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 4 sharps (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯).
What chords are in B Mixolydian?
Harmonising the B Mixolydian scale in thirds gives B (I), C♯m (ii), D♯° (iii°), E (IV), F♯m (v), G♯m (vi) and A (♭VII).
Where do you play the B Mixolydian scale on guitar?
The root, B, is at fret 7 on the low E string and fret 2 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 6–10, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as B Mixolydian?
B Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of E major, played from its fifth note, B.