G Mixolydian Guitar Scale — Open D
Guitar scale in Open D tuning — fretboard diagram
G Mixolydian in Open D — 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, B, C, D, E, 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 G7, Am7, Bm7b5, CMaj7, Dm7, Em7, FMaj7. 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, B, C, D, E, 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: Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D)
Also known as: dominant
Diatonic Chords
G7 — Am7 — Bm7♭5 — CMaj7 — Dm7 — Em7 — FMaj7
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
- 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 C
- G Mixolydian in Drop B
- 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