Guitar scale

Eb Mixolydian Guitar Scale

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

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

How to read this scale

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

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

Sound and defining tones

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

Characteristic tones
3Gb7Db

Fretboard diagram

Eb Mixolydian Guitar Scale fretboard diagram in standard tuning
Eb Mixolydian Guitar Scale fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this scale in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Common chords and contexts

Use Eb Mixolydian over Eb7 harmony, dominant vamps, and blues or rock progressions centered on Eb. The flat seventh must agree with the chord or accompaniment.

Practice this scale on guitar

  1. Play Eb Mixolydian from one Eb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and scale degree aloud.
  2. Outline the root, 3 (G) and b7 (Db), and fifth as a dominant seventh arpeggio, then fill the gaps with neighboring scale tones.
  3. Improvise over a static Eb7 chord and resolve phrases from the flat seventh to the sixth, fifth, or root.

Scale diagrams by tuning