C# Mixolydian: Notes and Fretboard Shapes

Here is the C# Mixolydian scale: C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A# and B. The E# looks odd but it is just the note you fret as F, and it is the 3rd of the scale. Db Mixolydian is the same sound with a flat spelling that needs a Cb instead.

Fret the root at the 9th fret of the low E string, or at the 4th fret of the A string. It is F# major with the tonic moved up a fifth. Before you speed up, check how to finger scales comfortably.

Play the C# mixolydian scale

Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.

Notes of the C# mixolydian scale

NoteDegreeIntervalSemitones from root
C#1Root0
D#2Major 2nd2
E#3Major 3rd4
F#4Perfect 4th5
G#5Perfect 5th7
A#6Major 6th9
Bb7Minor 7th10

Structure

C# mixolydian scale notes:

C# D# E# F# G# A# B

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.

C# Mixolydian Scale Guitar Patterns

Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - On one string (B)

On one string (B)

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - Box pattern — position 1

Box pattern — position 1

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - Box pattern — position 2

Box pattern — position 2

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - Box pattern — position 3

Box pattern — position 3

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - Box pattern — position 4

Box pattern — position 4

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - Box pattern — position 5

Box pattern — position 5

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - 3 notes per string — position 1

3 notes per string — position 1

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - 3 notes per string — position 2

3 notes per string — position 2

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - 3 notes per string — position 3

3 notes per string — position 3

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - 3 notes per string — position 4

3 notes per string — position 4

C# Mixolydian Scale scale guitar pattern - 3 notes per string — position 5

3 notes per string — position 5

Chords in the C# mixolydian scale

Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.

DegreeTriadSeventh chord
1 C# C#7
2 D#m D#m7
3 E#dim E#m7(b5)
4 F# F#maj7
5 G#m G#m7
6 A#m A#m7
b7 B Bmaj7

Related modes

These scales share the same notes as the mixolydian scale, starting from a different degree.

Major Scale Dorian Scale Phrygian Scale Lydian Scale Minor Scale Locrian Scale

The mixolydian scale in other keys

C C# Db D D# Eb E F F# Gb G G# Ab A A# Bb B

All about the mixolydian scale →

Giancarlo Facoetti, founder of FaChords Guitar

Created by

Giancarlo Facoetti

Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher