C Mixolydian B6 Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
C Mixolydian B6 Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C Mixolydian B6 scale is a melancholic dominant scale used when a song is in a major key but the dominant chord needs to resolve into a minor key. On Bass, the notes are C, D, E, F, G, Ab, Bb. It provides a bridge between the bright major and the sad minor worlds, perfect for emotional transitions. Commonly used in Jazz, Film Scores, Classical, Melodic Metal. Notable players include Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone. Use over dominant 7th chords that resolve to minor (V7 → im). The scale that bridges major happiness and minor sadness.
Notes: C, D, E, F, G, Ab, Bb
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-W-H-W-H-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: melodic minor fifth mode, hindu
Musical Character
A 'sad dominant' — major 3rd says happy, b6 says sad, b7 says dominant. This emotional contradiction makes it perfect for scenes of bittersweet triumph or pyrrhic victory.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Film Scores, Classical, Melodic Metal
Notable players: Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone
How to Use the C Mixolydian B6 Scale
Use over dominant 7th chords that resolve to minor (V7 → im). The scale that bridges major happiness and minor sadness.
Origin & Background
Also called the Hindu scale or Aeolian Dominant. The fifth mode of the melodic minor.
How to Play C Mixolydian B6 on Bass
On bass, locate C on the A string at fret 3. Use a one-finger-per-fret approach starting from the root and span two to three strings. Keep your fretting hand relaxed and practice shifting between positions cleanly.
The C Mixolydian B6 scale contains 2 flats (Ab, Bb). Its relative minor is Ab minor, which shares the same notes.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the C Mixolydian B6 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.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on C to let the characteristic intervals of the Mixolydian B6 scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in classical contexts.
Bass Tips
Practice the C Mixolydian B6 scale on bass using only your index and ring fingers for a two-finger-per-string approach, then switch to one-finger-per-fret. Both techniques are essential for different musical situations. Aim for a melancholic quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
Mixolydian B6 is the 5th mode of the Melodic Minor scale (Hindu scale). View C Melodic minor scale
The C Mixolydian B6 scale contains 7 notes (C, D, E, F, G, Ab, Bb). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for C Mixolydian B6
The C Mixolydian B6 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.