C# Mixolydian Guitar Scale — DADGAD
Guitar scale in DADGAD tuning — fretboard diagram
C# Mixolydian in DADGAD — Notes and Intervals
The C# 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 C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B. 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 C# Mixolydian are C#7, D#m7, Fm7b5, F#Maj7, G#m7, A#m7, BMaj7. 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: C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B
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: DADGAD (D-A-D-G-A-D)
Also known as: dominant
Diatonic Chords
C♯7 — D♯m7 — Fm7♭5 — F♯Maj7 — G♯m7 — A♯m7 — BMaj7
About DADGAD Tuning
DADGAD tuning creates an open Dsus4 chord when strummed open, producing a hauntingly beautiful, droning sound that has become synonymous with Celtic folk music and modern acoustic songwriting. The tuning's natural resonance and overtones make even simple fingerpicking patterns sound rich and complex.
Popularized by Davey Graham in the 1960s and later championed by Pierre Bensusan and Jimmy Page, DADGAD has become one of the most beloved alternate tunings for acoustic guitarists. Its suspended quality — neither clearly major nor minor — creates an ethereal, meditative atmosphere that invites exploration. The tuning excels at creating drone-based arrangements where open strings ring against fretted notes.
Notable artists: Pierre Bensusan, Jimmy Page, Andy McKee, Davey Graham, Laurence Juber
Best for: Celtic folk, acoustic songwriting, drone-based fingerpicking, and meditative compositions
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- C# Mixolydian in Standard Tuning
- C# Mixolydian in Drop D
- C# Mixolydian in Open G
- C# Mixolydian in Baritone (B Standard)
- C# Mixolydian in 7-string
- C# Mixolydian in 8-string
- C# Mixolydian in Drop C
- C# Mixolydian in Drop B
- C# Mixolydian in Open D
- C# Mixolydian in Half Step Down
- C# Mixolydian in Open E
- C# Mixolydian in Open A
- C# Mixolydian in Double Drop D
- C# Mixolydian in Open C