Mixolydian Mode on Guitar

If you've been going through the guitar modes series, you'll hopefully be getting used to the lesson structure, so I'll use the same for Mixolydian if that's ok with you! We'll start with the theory, then we'll look at the Mixolydian mode on guitar, then we'll get a chance to experiment with it over a jam track.

Mixolydian is the 5th mode, following Lydian (4), Phrygian (3), Dorian (2) and Ionian (1). Therefore, Mixolydian begins on the 5th note of Ionian. Firstly, I just want to move your attention away from the peculiarity of the name of these modes. You can learn all about their origins on sites like wikipedia. For now, let's just get to know the sound of Mixolydian.

Intervals of Mixolydian

1 W 2 W 3 H 4 W 5 W 6 H b7 W 8(1)
Hear it (G Mixolydian) >

Don't know what the W's and H's mean? If so, take the intervals lesson here before you go on.

Look at the intervals above - seem familiar? Mixolydian is exactly the same as Ionian, except for one note - the 7th. Ionian includes the 7th in its natural position (a semitone/half step below the root/1st), whereas Mixolydian has flattened that 7th one semitone, creating a flat 7th.

The proper name for that altered 7th position is dominant 7th. Don't worry about what the word dominant means for now. It will become clear in time.

So if you've been through that initial Ionian mode lesson, there's not much more to learn, apart from how that new 7th position changes the flavour of the scale.

By using the dominant/flat 7th, you can get a very bluesy, country sound. Also, the dominant 7th is seen as a "staple" note in jazz music.

Let's hear some intervals being used, including that dominant 7th, so we can get some idea of the mode's flavour:

Root-3-5-6-7-4-3-Root interval >

Mixolydian mode on guitar

Just like in the previous mode lessons, let's first look at Mixolydian in its "boxed" pattern (which spans just 5 frets):

Mixolydian mode

Finger numbers

So depending on where that root note (1) lies, that will be the key of the scale. For example, if the root note lies on the note G, and you play the scale around that position, it would be G Mixolydian.

Later, we'll learn how to expand out of this box and use more of the fretboard for the same mode.

Let's look at the standard finger positions for this boxed pattern:

Mixolydian fingering

Playing Mixolydian over chords

As mentioned earlier, apart from the 7th, Mixolydian uses exactly the same tones as Ionian. Therefore, rather than me repeating a lot of what was covered in the Ionian lesson, I'll just focus on the main difference - the dominant/flat 7th.

Using the dominant 7th over major chords

First, I think it's important to make clear in your mind the difference between a major 7th (used in Ionian and Lydian) and a dominant 7th. Take a listen:

Major 7th note over major chord >

Dominant 7th note over major chord >

So by simply flattening the 7th just one fret/semitone, we create a very different atmosphere. You need to really get to know this difference, as they both work over different types of chords and will sound incompatible if you play, for example, a major 7th over a dominant 7th chord.

The nice thing about the dominant 7th is it can be held at length over a major chord without sounding too tense. However, it's most effectively used within a phrase that includes other notes from Mixolydian (for example, the interval sequence we listened to earlier).

Mixolydian jam track

Right, let's experiment with some of our own ideas over the G Mixolydian backing track below.

Play around with different phrases from Mixolydian, trying that flat 7th in different places and sequences with the other tones in the scale.

As Mixolydian is a mode, it'll work over more than one chord and, as you'll hear in the jam track, I use 3 chords as part of that Mixolydian "chord scale" which will all be compatible with G Mixolydian. However, try and focus the tones of Mixolydian on that initial G major chord, as it's the key centre of the chord progression. The other chords are like a short journey away from that tonic (or "home") G chord.

Try skipping across the strings rather than just playing it in sequence from 1 to 7. Your ear will eventually pick up which phrases compliment the chord/progression most effectively. Think about starting notes and landing/finishing notes for your mini-phrases. I know - a lot to think about! Just give it your time and patience.

Enjoy!

Download the G Mixolydian jam track here >

Learn how to truly master this scale and expand out of the box using the Guitar Scale Mastery Course.

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