D# Mixolydian Banjo (5-String) Scale
Banjo (5-String) scale — fretboard diagram
D# Mixolydian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D# Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale and the heart of rock and roll and blues. On Banjo (5-String), it contains the notes D#, F, G, G#, A#, C, C#. 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 D# Mixolydian are D#7, Fm7, Gm7b5, G#Maj7, A#m7, Cm7, C#Maj7. 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: D#, F, G, G#, A#, C, C#
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
D♯7 — Fm7 — Gm7♭5 — G♯Maj7 — A♯m7 — Cm7 — C♯Maj7
How to Play D# Mixolydian on Banjo (5-String)
Begin by locating D# on your instrument and play through the 7 notes of the Mixolydian scale slowly, ensuring each note rings clearly before increasing speed.
The D# Mixolydian scale contains 4 sharps (D#, G#, A#, C#). Its relative minor is C minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the D# 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 D# Mixolydian scale: D#7 - G#Maj7 - A#m7 - D#7 (I-IV-V-I) or D#7 - Fm7 - G#Maj7 - A#m7 for a more stepwise movement.
Banjo (5-String) Tips
Practice the D# Mixolydian scale slowly and evenly on your instrument, focusing on tone quality for each of the 7 notes before building speed.
The D# Mixolydian scale contains 7 notes (D#, F, G, G#, A#, C, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Banjo (5-String) with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D# Mixolydian
The D# 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 D# Mixolydian Further
- Browse chord progressions
- D# Mixolydian on Guitar
- D# Mixolydian on Ukulele
- D# Mixolydian on Bass
- D# Mixolydian on Piano