Mixolydian scale · 7 notes
F Mixolydian scale on guitar
The F Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: F, G, A, B♭, C, D and E♭. A major scale with a ♭7: the bluesy-but-major sound of classic rock.
Notes
- F
- G
- A
- B♭
- C
- D
- E♭
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7
Steps
W – W – H – W – W – H – W
Sound
Major, bluesy and laid-back
F Mixolydian on the whole fretboard
Every F Mixolydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, F, 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
F at fret 1. Open position: frets 0–4.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of F Mixolydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from F, the F Mixolydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 2 flats (B♭ and E♭). Compared with F major, it has E♭ (♭7) instead of E.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | root | 0 |
| 2 | G | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | A | major 3rd | 4 |
| 4 | B♭ | perfect 4th | 5 |
| 5 | C | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | D | major 6th | 9 |
| ♭7 | E♭ | minor 7th | 10 |
Chords in F Mixolydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to F Mixolydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in F Mixolydian.
- IFF · A · CF7
- iiGmG · B♭ · DGm7
- iii°A°A · C · E♭Am7♭5
- IVB♭B♭ · D · FB♭maj7
- vCmC · E♭ · GCm7
- viDmD · F · ADm7
- ♭VIIE♭E♭ · G · B♭E♭maj7
Progressions to try
- F – E♭ – B♭ I–♭VII–IV · classic rock
- F – E♭ I–♭VII
- F – Cm – E♭ – B♭ I–v–♭VII–IV
How to use F 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.
- F Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of B♭ major, played from its fifth note, F. See B♭ major.
Where to find F on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every F between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with F |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 1 |
| B (2nd) | 6 |
| G (3rd) | 10 |
| D (4th) | 3 |
| A (5th) | 8 |
| Low E (6th) | 1 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as F Mixolydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
F Mixolydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the F Mixolydian scale?
The F Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: F, G, A, B♭, C, D and E♭. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7. It contains 2 flats (B♭ and E♭).
What chords are in F Mixolydian?
Harmonising the F Mixolydian scale in thirds gives F (I), Gm (ii), A° (iii°), B♭ (IV), Cm (v), Dm (vi) and E♭ (♭VII).
Where do you play the F Mixolydian scale on guitar?
The root, F, is at fret 1 on the low E string and fret 8 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 F Mixolydian?
F Mixolydian contains exactly the notes of B♭ major, played from its fifth note, F.