Guitar Scale Logic
B Mixolydian Guitar Scale in Drop D
Mixolydian scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Drop D.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
E|------------------------------0--2--4--| B|------------------------2--4-----------| G|---------------1--2--4-----------------| D|------1--2--4--------------------------| A|2--4-----------------------------------| D|---------------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 13 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The B Mixolydian scale uses B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A and the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7. In Drop D tuning, the open strings run E B G D A D from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each B root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Mixolydian sounds major but loose, rootsy and dominant. Try it for southern rock, jam-band leads and bluesy major riffs. Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D. The other five strings stay in Standard tuning, so only the low-string notes move.
Frame lines around the b7 to keep the mode from sounding like straight major. In Drop D, check the sixth-string frets before reusing a Standard-tuning pattern.
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- B7dominant 7
- Bmajor
- Bsus2sus2
- Bsus4sus4
- B5power
- C♯mminor
- C♯sus2sus2
- C♯sus4sus4
- C♯5power
- C♯m7minor 7