Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Mixolydian Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning

Ab Mixolydian Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning shows the same ab mixolydian scale pitch classes across 7 strings tuned A E A D G B E. The seventh string extends the pattern below a six-string layout while keeping the upper strings familiar.

Scale notes
Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb
Formula
1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Semitones
0 2 4 5 7 9 10
Parent scale
Db major
Tuning
A E A D G B E
Strings
7
Open pitch range
A1 to E4
24-fret range
A1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

None of the 7 open strings belongs to Ab Mixolydian Scale. Every scale tone must therefore be fretted, beginning with the first available tone on the low A string.

First root on each string

String 7Fret 11
String 6Fret 4
String 5Fret 11
String 4Fret 6
String 3Fret 1
String 2Fret 9
String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest A string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 11. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

Fret 1Bb2
Fret 3C3
Fret 4Db4
Fret 6Eb5
Fret 8F6
Fret 9Gbb7
Fret 11Ab1

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Mixolydian Scale on the low A string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Play the scale without using an open string, then stop on the nearest Ab root each time the line changes strings.
  3. Connect the Ab root positions on strings 7 through 1 at frets 11, 4, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Mixolydian Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Mixolydian Scale in 7-String Drop A Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing A E A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Mixolydian Scale and 7-string drop a tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings