Guitar scale reference
D Mixolydian scale on guitar: five CAGED positions
Mixolydian is a major mode with a flattened 7th. It fits dominant seventh harmony naturally and combines a clear major 3rd with a less final, more circular pull than the major scale.
What gives the scale its sound
The major 3rd and flattened 7th form the tritone inside a dominant seventh chord. Treat them as structural targets and use the 4th as a passing tension.
- Interval formula
- 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7
- Notes in D
- D · E · F♯ · G · A · B · C
D Mixolydian across the neck
The five views overlap. Root notes are highlighted; use interval labels first, then confirm the spelled notes above.
Position 1 · E shape · frets 9–13
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------10-12-10-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------10-12-13----------13-12-10----------------------------------| G|-------------------------9-11-12----------------------------12-11--9-------------------------| D|----------------9-10-12----------------------------------------------12-10--9----------------| A|-------9-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------12-10--9-------| E|10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-10-|
Position 2 · D shape · frets 11–15
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------12-14-15-14-12-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------12-13-15----------------15-13-12----------------------------------| G|------------------------11-12-14----------------------------------14-12-11-------------------------| D|------------------12-14----------------------------------------------------14-12-------------------| A|---------12-14-15----------------------------------------------------------------15-14-12----------| E|12-14-15----------------------------------------------------------------------------------15-14-12-|
Position 3 · C shape · frets 13–17
Ascending and descending tab
e|---------------------------------------------14-15-17-15-14----------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------13-15-17----------------17-15-13-------------------------------------| G|---------------------------14-16-17----------------------------------17-16-14----------------------------| D|------------------14-16-17----------------------------------------------------17-16-14-------------------| A|---------14-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-14----------| E|14-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17-15-14-|
Position 4 · A shape · frets 16–20
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------17-19-20-19-17-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------17-19-20----------------20-19-17----------------------------------| G|------------------------16-17-19----------------------------------19-17-16-------------------------| D|---------------16-17-19----------------------------------------------------19-17-16----------------| A|---------17-19----------------------------------------------------------------------19-17----------| E|17-19-20----------------------------------------------------------------------------------20-19-17-|
Position 5 · G shape · frets 18–22
Ascending and descending tab
e|------------------------------------------19-20-22-20-19-------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------19-20-22----------------22-20-19----------------------------------| G|---------------------------19-21----------------------------------21-19----------------------------| D|------------------19-21-22----------------------------------------------22-21-19-------------------| A|---------19-21-22----------------------------------------------------------------22-21-19----------| E|19-20-22----------------------------------------------------------------------------------22-20-19-|
Practice drill
Arpeggiate 1–3–5–♭7 inside each scale position, then fill the gaps with neighbouring scale tones. Link positions by resolving ♭7 down to 6 or up to the root.
Use the guitar scale practice guide to turn the diagram into a recall, connection and phrasing routine.
If the interval formula or five-position layout is new, begin with the beginner guitar scale guide.
Open the scale randomiser