Mixolydian scale · 7 notes
C Mixolydian scale on guitar
The C Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B♭. A major scale with a ♭7: the bluesy-but-major sound of classic rock.
Notes
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- A
- B♭
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – W – H – W – W – H – W
Sound
Major, bluesy and laid-back
C Mixolydian on the whole fretboard
Every C Mixolydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, C, 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
C at fret 8. 7th position: frets 7–11.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of C Mixolydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from C, the C Mixolydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 1 flat (B♭). Compared with C major, it has B♭ (♭7) instead of B.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root | 0 |
| 2 | D | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | E | major 3rd | 4 |
| 4 | F | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | A | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | B♭ | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in C Mixolydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to C Mixolydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in C Mixolydian.
- ICC · E · GC7
- iiDmD · F · ADm7
- iii°E°E · G · B♭Em7♭5
- IVFF · A · CFmaj7
- vGmG · B♭ · DGm7
- viAmA · C · EAm7
- ♭VIIB♭B♭ · D · FB♭maj7
Progressions to try
- C – B♭ – F I–♭VII–IV · classic rock
- C – B♭ I–♭VII
- C – Gm – B♭ – F I–v–♭VII–IV
How to use C 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.
- C Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of F major, played from its fifth note, C. See F major.
Where to find C on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every C between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with C |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 8 |
| B (2nd) | 1 |
| G (3rd) | 5 |
| D (4th) | 10 |
| A (5th) | 3 |
| Low E (6th) | 8 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as C Mixolydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
C Mixolydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the C Mixolydian scale?
The C Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: C, D, E, F, G, A and B♭. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 1 flat (B♭).
What chords are in C Mixolydian?
Harmonising the C Mixolydian scale in thirds gives C (I), Dm (ii), E° (iii°), F (IV), Gm (v), Am (vi) and B♭ (♭VII).
Where do you play the C Mixolydian scale on guitar?
The root, C, is at fret 8 on the low E string and fret 3 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 7–11, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as C Mixolydian?
C Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of F major, played from its fifth note, C.