F Mixolydian Guitar Scale — Drop C

Guitar scale in Drop C tuning — fretboard diagram

F mixolydian scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the F mixolydian scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb, C.DEbFGABbCDEbFGABbCABbCDEbFGABbCDEbFGFGABbCDEbFGABbCDEbCDEbFGABbCDEbFGABbGABbCDEbFGABbCDEbFCDEbFGABbCDEbFGABb1357911121315171921

F Mixolydian in Drop C — Notes and Intervals

The F 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 F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb. 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 F Mixolydian are F7, Gm7, Am7b5, BbMaj7, Cm7, Dm7, EbMaj7. 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: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb

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: Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D)

Also known as: dominant

Diatonic Chords

F7 — Gm7 — Am7♭5 — B♭Maj7 — Cm7 — Dm7 — E♭Maj7

About Drop C Tuning

Drop C tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D) drops every string one whole step below Drop D, delivering a massive, brutal low-end that has defined the sound of modern metalcore, post-hardcore, and nu-metal. The low C string provides earth-shaking power chords with a single finger while maintaining familiar Drop D shapes — just two frets lower.

From System of a Down's iconic riffs to Killswitch Engage's crushing breakdowns, Drop C has become the standard tuning for heavy music that needs to sound bigger than standard Drop D. It bridges the gap between standard guitar territory and the extended range of 7-string guitars, making it accessible to players who want heavier tones without buying a new instrument.

MetalcorePost-HardcoreNu-MetalHeavy AlternativeDjent-lite

Notable artists: System of a Down, Killswitch Engage, Bullet for My Valentine, As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red

Best for: Modern metalcore breakdowns, heavy power chord riffs, nu-metal grooves, and aggressive rhythm playing

Explore This Scale in Other Tunings

← All Guitar scales in Drop C tuning