Mixolydian scale · 7 notes
D Mixolydian scale on guitar
The D Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: D, E, F♯, G, A, B and C. A major scale with a ♭7: the bluesy-but-major sound of classic rock.
Notes
- D
- E
- F♯
- G
- A
- B
- C
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – W – H – W – W – H – W
Sound
Major, bluesy and laid-back
D Mixolydian on the whole fretboard
Every D Mixolydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, D, 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
D at fret 10. 9th position: frets 9–13.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of D Mixolydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from D, the D Mixolydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 1 sharp (F♯). Compared with D major, it has C (♭7) instead of C♯.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | root | 0 |
| 2 | E | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | F♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| 4 | G | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | B | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | C | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in D Mixolydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to D Mixolydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in D Mixolydian.
- IDD · F♯ · AD7
- iiEmE · G · BEm7
- iii°F♯°F♯ · A · CF♯m7♭5
- IVGG · B · DGmaj7
- vAmA · C · EAm7
- viBmB · D · F♯Bm7
- ♭VIICC · E · GCmaj7
Progressions to try
- D – C – G I–♭VII–IV · classic rock
- D – C I–♭VII
- D – Am – C – G I–v–♭VII–IV
How to use D 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.
- D Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of G major, played from its fifth note, D. See G major.
Where to find D on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every D between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with D |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 10 |
| B (2nd) | 3 |
| G (3rd) | 7 |
| D (4th) | 0, 12 |
| A (5th) | 5 |
| Low E (6th) | 10 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as D Mixolydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
D Mixolydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the D Mixolydian scale?
The D Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: D, E, F♯, G, A, B and C. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 1 sharp (F♯).
What chords are in D Mixolydian?
Harmonising the D Mixolydian scale in thirds gives D (I), Em (ii), F♯° (iii°), G (IV), Am (v), Bm (vi) and C (♭VII).
Where do you play the D Mixolydian scale on guitar?
The root, D, is at fret 10 on the low E string and fret 5 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 9–13, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as D Mixolydian?
D Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of G major, played from its fifth note, D.