Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Mixolydian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning

Ab Mixolydian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning shows the same ab mixolydian scale pitch classes across 8 strings tuned F# B E A D G B E. The seventh and eighth strings extend the pattern into the lower register for wider-range riffs and chord voicings.

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
F# B E A D G B E
Strings
8
Open pitch range
F#1 to E4
24-fret range
F#1 to E6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 8 open strings belong to Ab Mixolydian Scale: string 8 Gb (b7). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 8Gbb7

First root on each string

String 8Fret 2
String 7Fret 9
String 6Fret 4
String 5Fret 11
String 4Fret 6
String 3Fret 1
String 2Fret 9
String 1Fret 4

Low-string pattern

On the lowest F# string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 2. On the highest E string, the first Ab is at fret 4.

OpenGbb7
Fret 2Ab1
Fret 4Bb2
Fret 6C3
Fret 7Db4
Fret 9Eb5
Fret 11F6

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Mixolydian Scale on the low F# string at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets Gb on open string 8 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the Ab root positions on strings 8 through 1 at frets 2, 9, 4, 11, 6, 1, 9, and 4, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Mixolydian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Mixolydian Scale in 8-String Standard Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing F# B E A D G B E.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Mixolydian Scale and 8-string standard tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings