Tuning-specific scale diagram

Ab Mixolydian Scale in Open D Tuning

Ab Mixolydian Scale in Open D Tuning shows the same ab mixolydian scale pitch classes across 6 strings tuned D A D 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
D A D F# A D
Strings
6
Open pitch range
D2 to D4
24-fret range
D2 to D6

Open strings and root positions

1 of the 6 open strings belong to Ab Mixolydian Scale: string 3 Gb (b7). None of those open-string tones is the Ab root, so the root must be fretted on every string.

String 3Gbb7

First root on each string

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

Low-string pattern

On the lowest D string, the first-octave scale pattern falls at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, with the Ab root at fret 6. On the highest D string, the first Ab is at fret 6.

Fret 1Eb5
Fret 3F6
Fret 4Gbb7
Fret 6Ab1
Fret 8Bb2
Fret 10C3
Fret 11Db4

Practice this tuning-specific layout

  1. Play Ab Mixolydian Scale on the low D string at frets 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11, saying each note name and degree aloud.
  2. Build a phrase that lets Gb on open string 3 ring, then connect it to the nearest Ab root and two other scale tones.
  3. Connect the Ab root positions on strings 6 through 1 at frets 6, 11, 6, 2, 11, and 6, adding the nearest scale tone between each pair of roots.

Fretboard diagram

Ab Mixolydian Scale in Open D Tuning fretboard diagram
Ab Mixolydian Scale in Open D Tuning guitar fretboard diagram showing D A D F# A D.

Open this diagram in the fretboard tool

Start with Ab Mixolydian Scale and open d tuningloaded, then adjust labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Reference pages

Same scale in other tunings