F Mixolydian Pentatonic Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open D — Notes and Intervals
The F Mixolydian Pentatonic scale is a dominant-flavored five-note scale that emphasizes the relaxed, bluesy side of the Mixolydian mode. On Guitar, the notes are F, A, Bb, C, Eb. It is an excellent choice for soloing over dominant chords when you want to maintain the simplicity and flow of a pentatonic structure. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Country, Funk. Notable players include Jimi Hendrix, Dickey Betts, Derek Trucks. Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 9, 13). Simpler than full Mixolydian but captures the essential dominant color.
Notes: F, A, Bb, C, Eb
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 4P, 5P, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 b5
Formula: 4-H-W-WH-W
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Also known as: indian
About Open D Tuning
Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) produces a full D major chord when strummed open, creating a warm, resonant sound that has been a staple of slide guitar, folk, and acoustic music for over a century. The three D strings create a deep, droning foundation that makes even simple chord shapes sound lush and full.
Open D is closely related to Open E (same intervals, just a whole step lower) but puts less tension on the guitar neck, making it safer for acoustic instruments. It was a favorite of Joni Mitchell, who used it extensively for her unique chord voicings, and Bob Dylan, who popularized it in folk-rock. For slide players, Open D provides the same intuitive major-chord-at-any-fret approach as Open G but with a warmer, deeper character.
Notable artists: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Bruce Cockburn, Elmore James
Best for: Slide guitar, folk fingerpicking, singer-songwriter arrangements, and acoustic compositions with rich open-string resonance
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Standard Tuning
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Drop D
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in DADGAD
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open G
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Baritone (B Standard)
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in 7-string
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in 8-string
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Drop C
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Drop B
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Half Step Down
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open E
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open A
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Double Drop D
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic in Open C