A# Mixolydian Sharp Second Guitar Scale

A# Mixolydian Sharp Second Scale — Notes and Intervals

The A# Mixolydian Sharp Second scale introduces a raised second into the Mixolydian framework, creating a built-in major and minor ambiguity that mirrors the heart of blues tonality. On Guitar, its notes are A#, B##, D, D#, F, G, G#. It offers guitarists a fresh palette for dominant seventh and ninth chord soloing, bridging blues grit with fusion sophistication. Commonly used in Blues, Fusion, Rock, Jazz. Notable players include Robben Ford, Larry Carlton. Use over dominant 7th and 9th chords. The coexistence of #2 and natural 3rd allows simultaneous major and minor inflections, ideal for blues turnarounds and fusion vamps.

Notes: A#, B##, D, D#, F, G, G#

Intervals: 1P, 2A, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m

Degrees: 1 #2 3 4 5 6 b7

Formula: WH-H-H-W-W-H-W

Number of notes: 7

Musical Character

The #2 (enharmonic b3) coexists with the natural 3rd, giving the scale a built-in major/minor ambiguity reminiscent of the blues. Both the 1st and 4th scale degrees support dominant 7th chords, making it a rich source for blues-rock composition.

Genres & Notable Artists

Genres: Blues, Fusion, Rock, Jazz

Notable players: Robben Ford, Larry Carlton

How to Use the A# Mixolydian Sharp Second Scale

Use over dominant 7th and 9th chords. The coexistence of #2 and natural 3rd allows simultaneous major and minor inflections, ideal for blues turnarounds and fusion vamps.

Origin & Background

A synthetic Mixolydian variant that raises the 2nd degree by a half step, creating an augmented 2nd from the root. The resulting sound bridges blues tonality with dominant harmony, offering a fresh palette for guitarists who have exhausted standard blues scale vocabulary.

How to Play A# Mixolydian Sharp Second on Guitar

Place your index finger at fret 6 on the 6th (low E) to find your A# root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is 1st fret on the A string.

The A# Mixolydian Sharp Second scale contains 4 sharps (A#, B##, D#, G#). Its relative minor is G minor, which shares the same notes.

Practice Routine — Exercises for Playing

Set a metronome to 100 BPM and play the A# Mixolydian Sharp Second 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 A# to let the characteristic intervals of the Mixolydian Sharp Second scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in blues contexts.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the A# Mixolydian Sharp Second scale on a single string from the open position to the 12th fret. This trains your ear to hear the intervals linearly and helps with slide guitar applications. Aim for a bluesy quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.

Related Scales

• A# Mixolydian
• A# Major blues
• A# Composite blues
• A# Lydian dominant

The A# Mixolydian Sharp Second scale contains 7 notes (A#, B##, D, D#, F, G, G#). Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to explore each shape and pattern on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges. Practice ascending and descending from the root note to learn the sound of this scale.

CAGED Positions & Patterns for A# Mixolydian Sharp Second

The A# Mixolydian Sharp Second 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 A# Mixolydian Sharp Second Further

• Harmonize the A# Mixolydian Sharp Second scale — triads & 7th chords
• Browse chord progressions
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second on Ukulele
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second on Bass
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second on Piano

Explore A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Other Tunings

• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• A# Mixolydian Sharp Second in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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