Guitar scale

Bb Mixolydian Guitar Scale

Bb Mixolydian is a seven-note scale built from Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, and Ab. It is the 5th relative mode of Eb major. Use it to study the scale's notes, interval formula, and guitar fretboard positions.

Notes: Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab
Formula: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Semitones: 0 2 4 5 7 9 10
Parent scale: Eb major

How to read this scale

The notes are shown as pitch classes first. Square markers representBb root notes in the fretboard view, while circular markers represent the other notes in the scale.

Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Bb root notes and connect the remaining mixolydian tones across standard tuning.

Sound and defining tones

Bb Mixolydian combines a major third with a flat seventh: 3 (D) and b7 (Ab). That interval pair outlines a dominant seventh sound and separates the mode from ordinary Bb major.

Characteristic tones: 3Db7Ab

Fretboard diagram

Open this scale in the fretboard tool

Start with Bb Mixolydian loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Common chords and contexts

Use Bb Mixolydian over Bb7 harmony, dominant vamps, and blues or rock progressions centered on Bb. The flat seventh must agree with the chord or accompaniment.

Use Bb Mixolydian over Bb7 dominant chords and major blues progressions.
The flat 7 makes it useful for rock, blues, funk, country, and dominant-chord vamps.

Practice this scale on guitar

Play Bb Mixolydian from one Bb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
Outline the root, 3 (D) and b7 (Ab), and fifth as a dominant seventh arpeggio, then fill the gaps with neighboring scale tones.
Improvise over a static Bb7 chord and resolve phrases from the flat seventh to the sixth, fifth, or root.