A Mixolydian Guitar Scale — 8-string

A Mixolydian in 8-string — Notes and Intervals

The A Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale and the heart of rock and roll and blues. On Guitar, it contains the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G. 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 A Mixolydian are A7, Bm7, C#m7b5, DMaj7, Em7, F#m7, GMaj7. 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: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G

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

Tuning: 8-string (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E)

Also known as: dominant

Diatonic Chords

A7 — Bm7 — C♯m7♭5 — DMaj7 — Em7 — F♯m7 — GMaj7

About 8-string Tuning

The 8-string guitar adds both a low B and a low F# string (F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E), pushing the instrument's range almost into bass guitar territory. This massive tonal range has become the weapon of choice for djent, progressive metal, and experimental composers who need bone-crushing low-end and soaring highs in a single instrument.

With artists like Tosin Abasi, Meshuggah, and After the Burial leading the charge, the 8-string guitar has redefined what's possible in modern heavy music. The low F# string delivers subsonic heaviness that you can feel in your chest, while the upper strings maintain standard guitar voicings for leads and clean passages. Extended-range compositions often exploit the full span of the instrument, creating a wall of sound that covers bass, rhythm, and lead guitar roles simultaneously.

Notable artists: Meshuggah, Animals as Leaders, After the Burial, Intervals, Monuments

Best for: Djent polyrhythms, extended-range metal riffs, experimental compositions, and one-instrument arrangements spanning bass to lead

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

• A Mixolydian in Standard Tuning
• A Mixolydian in Drop D
• A Mixolydian in DADGAD
• A Mixolydian in Open G
• A Mixolydian in Baritone (B Standard)
• A Mixolydian in 7-string
• A Mixolydian in Drop C
• A Mixolydian in Drop B
• A Mixolydian in Open D
• A Mixolydian in Half Step Down
• A Mixolydian in Open E
• A Mixolydian in Open A
• A Mixolydian in Double Drop D
• A Mixolydian in Open C

← All Guitar scales in 8-string tuning