B Mixolydian B6 Guitar Scale — 8-string

Guitar scale in 8-string tuning — fretboard diagram

B mixolydian b6 scale — 8-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the B mixolydian b6 scale on 8-string guitar with 24 frets. Notes: E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D#.EF#GABC#D#EF#GABC#D#EBC#D#EF#GABC#D#EF#GABGABC#D#EF#GABC#D#EF#GD#EF#GABC#D#EF#GABC#ABC#D#EF#GABC#D#EF#GAEF#GABC#D#EF#GABC#D#EBC#D#EF#GABC#D#EF#GABF#GABC#D#EF#GABC#D#EF#135791112131517192123

B Mixolydian B6 in 8-string — Notes and Intervals

The B 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 Guitar, the notes are B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A. 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: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A

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

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

Also known as: melodic minor fifth mode, hindu

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.

DjentProgressive MetalTechnical Death MetalExperimentalAmbient

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

← All Guitar scales in 8-string tuning