Ab Mixolydian Step by Step
Learn the Ab Mixolydian scale as Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F and Gb. Five flats are no harder to finger than any other key, because the shape simply slides along the neck.
The root is on the 4th fret of the low E string and again on the 11th fret of the A string. Ab Mixolydian is Db major starting from its fifth note. To place it against the other modes, see how modes work on guitar.
Play the Ab mixolydian scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the Ab mixolydian scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ab | 1 | Root | 0 |
| Bb | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| C | 3 | Major 3rd | 4 |
| Db | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| Eb | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| F | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| Gb | b7 | Minor 7th | 10 |
Structure
Ab mixolydian scale notes:
How the mixolydian scale is built:
The mixolydian scale is built from the degrees 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7, which gives the step pattern W-W-H-W-W-H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is mode 5 of the Major Scale, so both scales share the same notes from a different starting point.
It is also known as Dominant Scale.
Ab Mixolydian Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (G)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the Ab mixolydian scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Related modes
These scales share the same notes as the mixolydian scale, starting from a different degree.
The mixolydian scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
