Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Mixolydian Scale in Drop C Tuning

Ab Mixolydian Scale in Drop C Tuning shows the same ab mixolydian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned C G C F A D. The tuning changes where the same pitch classes sit across the fretboard.

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: C G C F A D
Strings: 6
Open pitch range: C2 to D4
24-fret range: C2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

3 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Mixolydian Scale: string 6 C (3), string 4 C (3), and string 3 F (6). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 6C3

String 4C3

String 3F6

First root on each string

String 6Fret 8

String 5Fret 1

String 4Fret 8

String 3Fret 3

String 2Fret 11

String 1Fret 6

Low-string pattern

On the lowest C string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10, with the Ab root at fret 8. On the highest D string, the first Ab is at fret 6.

OpenC3

Fret 1Db4

Fret 3Eb5

Fret 5F6

Fret 6Gbb7

Fret 8Ab1

Fret 10Bb2

Practice this tuning-specific layout

Play Ab Mixolydian Scale on the low C string at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10, saying each note name and degree aloud.
Build a phrase that lets C on open string 6 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other scale tones.
Connect the Ab root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 8, 1, 8, 3, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.