A Mixolydian Mandolin Scale
Mandolin scale — fretboard diagramBeginner
A Mixolydian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The A Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale and the heart of rock and roll and blues. On Mandolin, it contains the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G. 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 A Mixolydian are A7, Bm7, C#m7b5, DMaj7, Em7, F#m7, GMaj7. 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: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G
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
A7 — Bm7 — C♯m7♭5 — DMaj7 — Em7 — F♯m7 — GMaj7
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 A 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.
How to Play A Mixolydian on Mandolin
Begin by locating A on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Mixolydian scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The A Mixolydian scale contains 2 sharps (C#, F#). Its relative minor is F# minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 60 BPM and play the A 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 A Mixolydian scale: A7 - DMaj7 - Em7 - A7 (I-IV-V-I) or A7 - Bm7 - DMaj7 - Em7 for a more stepwise movement. This scale is especially effective in blues contexts.
Mandolin Tips
Practice the A Mixolydian scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed. 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 A Major scale
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- bVI – bVII – I (Mario Cadence)World / Game Music — Triumph & Victory
- I – I – I – I – IV – IV – I – I – V – IV – I – V (12 Bar Blues)Blues — Grit & Soul
- I – bVI – bIII – bVII (Epic Borrowed Chords)Contemporary / Film — Epic & Heroic
- I – ♭VII – IV (Classic Rock Loop)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
- I – VI7 – II7 – V (Ragtime Cycle)Jazz / Soul — Playful & Vintage
- ♭VII – IV – I (Gospel Walk-Up)Blues — Spiritual & Uplifting
The A Mixolydian scale contains 7 notes (A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Mandolin with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for A Mixolydian
The A 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 A Mixolydian Further
- Browse chord progressions
- A Mixolydian on Guitar
- A Mixolydian on Ukulele
- A Mixolydian on Bass
- A Mixolydian on Piano