Mixolydian

The Mixolydian mode is a major scale with a flatted (minor) seventh step. This is common in rock and pop styles, where it is often used as a major-sounding mode in place of the major scale. It contains the tones of the dominant seventh chord. The notes, tones, and intervallic structure are shown below, based on G.

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G Mixolydian, patterns 1 – 5

The Mixolydian mode has five different “positional” patterns on the neck. These contain and correspond to the major pentatonic boxes (page 18). Below, the pentatonic boxes are shown in solid dots with added tones 4 and ♭7 shown in grey dots. Taken together, they form the full diatonic Mixolydian mode.

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Fingering: Pattern 1 is in second position (third for strings 1 and 2). Pattern 2 is in fifth position (stretch back a fret for string 3). Pattern 3 is in seventh position. Pattern 4 is in tenth position (ninth for strings 3 and 4). Pattern 5 is in twelfth position.

The astute guitarist may notice that G Mixolydian uses the patterns of C major/A minor, simply with displaced roots. However, it is best to learn each mode as a scale in its own right, with its “superimposed” pentatonic and proper anchor chords. This will also allow for quick and easy parallel modality changes “on the fly” during a guitar solo—using a relative pattern will not.

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Other Tonalities

Here is the C Mixolydian mode with its associated anchor chords. Shift into other keys as well.

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Three notes per string

You should already know the diatonic three-note-per-string patterns and sequence (pages 28 and 32), so all you really need here is the correct starting point. The shape shown on page 32 as “pattern 5” becomes pattern 1 for Mixolydian. Shift it to the sixth string root. In this case, to play E Mixolydian, start with this pattern on open E and continue from there.

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continue with page 32 patterns 1, 2, 3, and 4 as 4, 5, 6, and 7 (up two frets)…