Mixolydian scale · 7 notes
E Mixolydian scale on guitar
The E Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ and D. A major scale with a ♭7: the bluesy-but-major sound of classic rock.
Notes
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A
- B
- C♯
- D
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – W – H – W – W – H – W
Sound
Major, bluesy and laid-back
E Mixolydian on the whole fretboard
Every E Mixolydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, E, 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
E at fret 0. Open position: frets 0–4.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of E Mixolydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from E, the E Mixolydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 3 sharps (F♯, G♯ and C♯). Compared with E major, it has D (♭7) instead of D♯.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | root | 0 |
| 2 | F♯ | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | G♯ | major 3rd | 4 |
| 4 | A | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | B | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | C♯ | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | D | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in E Mixolydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to E Mixolydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in E Mixolydian.
- IEE · G♯ · BE7
- iiF♯mF♯ · A · C♯F♯m7
- iii°G♯°G♯ · B · DG♯m7♭5
- IVAA · C♯ · EAmaj7
- vBmB · D · F♯Bm7
- viC♯mC♯ · E · G♯C♯m7
- ♭VIIDD · F♯ · ADmaj7
Progressions to try
- E – D – A I–♭VII–IV · classic rock
- E – D I–♭VII
- E – Bm – D – A I–v–♭VII–IV
How to use E 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.
- E Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of A major, played from its fifth note, E. See A major.
Where to find E on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every E between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with E |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 0, 12 |
| B (2nd) | 5 |
| G (3rd) | 9 |
| D (4th) | 2 |
| A (5th) | 7 |
| Low E (6th) | 0, 12 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as E Mixolydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
E Mixolydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the E Mixolydian scale?
The E Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: E, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯ and D. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 3 sharps (F♯, G♯ and C♯).
What chords are in E Mixolydian?
Harmonising the E Mixolydian scale in thirds gives E (I), F♯m (ii), G♯° (iii°), A (IV), Bm (v), C♯m (vi) and D (♭VII).
Where do you play the E Mixolydian scale on guitar?
The root, E, is at fret 0 on the low E string and fret 7 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 0–4, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as E Mixolydian?
E Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of A major, played from its fifth note, E.