G Mixolydian Pentatonic Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagram
G Mixolydian Pentatonic Scale — Notes and Intervals
The G Mixolydian Pentatonic scale is a dominant-flavored five-note scale that emphasizes the relaxed, bluesy side of the Mixolydian mode. On Guitar, the notes are G, B, C, D, F. It is an excellent choice for soloing over dominant chords when you want to maintain the simplicity and flow of a pentatonic structure. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Country, Funk. Notable players include Jimi Hendrix, Dickey Betts, Derek Trucks. Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 9, 13). Simpler than full Mixolydian but captures the essential dominant color.
Notes: G, B, C, D, F
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4P, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: 4-H-W-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: indian
How to Play G Mixolydian Pentatonic on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 3 on the 6th (low E) to find your G root note. With only 5 notes, this scale fits comfortably in a two-notes-per-string pattern across all six strings. Focus on learning a single box shape first before connecting positions.
The G Mixolydian Pentatonic scale uses no sharps or flats, consisting entirely of natural notes. This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Set a metronome to 80 BPM and play the G Mixolydian Pentatonic 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.
This scale works well over simple power chord progressions or a 12-bar blues in G. Try a G5 - D5 - F5 progression.
Guitar Tips
On guitar, practice the G Mixolydian Pentatonic 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.
The G Mixolydian Pentatonic scale contains 5 notes (G, B, C, D, F). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for G Mixolydian Pentatonic
The G Mixolydian Pentatonic 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 5-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore G Mixolydian Pentatonic Further
- Harmonize the G Mixolydian Pentatonic scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic on Ukulele
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic on Bass
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic on Piano
Explore G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Other Tunings
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)