G# Mixolydian Guitar Scale — Drop C
Guitar scale in Drop C tuning — fretboard diagram
G# Mixolydian in Drop C — Notes and Intervals
The G# 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 G#, A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#. 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 G# Mixolydian are G#7, A#m7, Cm7b5, C#Maj7, D#m7, Fm7, F#Maj7. 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: G#, A#, C, C#, D#, F, F#
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
G♯7 — A♯m7 — Cm7♭5 — C♯Maj7 — D♯m7 — Fm7 — F♯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.
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
- G# Mixolydian in Standard Tuning
- G# Mixolydian in Drop D
- G# Mixolydian in DADGAD
- G# Mixolydian in Open G
- G# Mixolydian in Baritone (B Standard)
- G# Mixolydian in 7-string
- G# Mixolydian in 8-string
- G# Mixolydian in Drop B
- G# Mixolydian in Open D
- G# Mixolydian in Half Step Down
- G# Mixolydian in Open E
- G# Mixolydian in Open A
- G# Mixolydian in Double Drop D
- G# Mixolydian in Open C