D Mixolydian Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagramBeginner
What chords fit over D Mixolydian?
Open D Mixolydian HarmonizerD Mixolydian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale and the heart of rock and roll and blues. On Guitar, it contains the notes D, E, F#, G, A, B, C. It combines the stability of a major sound with a more relaxed, folk-like ending, perfectly suited for soloing over dominant seventh chords and providing a bluesy, soulful vibe to major-key songs. The diatonic chords of D Mixolydian are D7, Em7, F#m7b5, GMaj7, Am7, Bm7, CMaj7. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Funk. Notable players include Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 9, 13). The primary scale for blues-rock soloing over non-resolving dominant chords.
Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-W-H-W-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: dominant
Diatonic Chords
D7 — Em7 — F♯m7♭5 — GMaj7 — Am7 — Bm7 — CMaj7
Musical Character
The b7 softens the major scale's resolution, creating a 'relaxed major' that never quite lands. This is the sound of rock and roll — major but with attitude.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Funk
Notable players: Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan
How to Use the D Mixolydian Scale
Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 9, 13). The primary scale for blues-rock soloing over non-resolving dominant chords.
Origin & Background
Named after the ancient Mixolydians. The mode behind virtually all classic rock and blues guitar. Respighi composed his Concerto in Modo Misolidio (1925) as an extensive classical treatment of this mode. The Beatles' 'Norwegian Wood' uses Mixolydian verses set against Dorian choruses.
How to Play D Mixolydian on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 10 on the 6th (low E) to find your D root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position using open D string.
The D Mixolydian scale contains 1 sharp (F#). Its relative minor is B minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing
Set a metronome to 60 BPM and play the D Mixolydian scale in groups of four notes, shifting the starting note each repetition. This builds muscle memory across the entire scale range. After a week, try improvising short 4-bar phrases using only these notes.
Try these progressions with the D Mixolydian scale: D7 - GMaj7 - Am7 - D7 (I-IV-V-I) or D7 - Em7 - GMaj7 - Am7 for a more stepwise movement. This scale is especially effective in folk contexts.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the D Mixolydian scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications. Aim for a relaxed quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Mixolydian is the 5th mode of the Major scale. View D Major scale
The D Mixolydian scale contains 7 notes (D, E, F#, G, A, B, C). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D Mixolydian
The D Mixolydian scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 7-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore D Mixolydian Further
- Harmonize the D Mixolydian scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D Mixolydian on Ukulele
- D Mixolydian on Bass
- D Mixolydian on Piano
Explore D Mixolydian in Other Tunings
- D Mixolydian in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Mixolydian in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D Mixolydian in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D Mixolydian in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D Mixolydian in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D Mixolydian in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D Mixolydian in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D Mixolydian in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D Mixolydian in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D Mixolydian in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D Mixolydian in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D Mixolydian in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D Mixolydian in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Mixolydian in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)