C Mixolydian Guitar Scale — Open G
Guitar scale in Open G tuning — fretboard diagram
C Mixolydian in Open G — 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, E, F, G, A, Bb. 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 C7, Dm7, Em7b5, FMaj7, Gm7, Am7, BbMaj7. 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, E, F, G, A, Bb
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 G (D-G-D-G-B-D)
Also known as: dominant
Diatonic Chords
C7 — Dm7 — Em7♭5 — FMaj7 — Gm7 — Am7 — B♭Maj7
About Open G Tuning
Open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D) produces a G major chord when strummed open, making it the definitive tuning for slide guitar and delta blues. The tuning's natural consonance means that barring across any fret gives you a major chord, which is why it's been the backbone of blues and roots music for over a century.
From Robert Johnson to Keith Richards, Open G has shaped some of the most iconic music ever recorded. Keith Richards famously removes the low 6th string entirely in this tuning, creating his signature five-string sound on songs like 'Start Me Up' and 'Brown Sugar'. For slide players, Open G is essential — it allows clean, singing slide lines across all strings with minimal effort.
Notable artists: Keith Richards, Robert Johnson, Ry Cooder, Joni Mitchell, The Black Crowes
Best for: Slide guitar, delta blues, Keith Richards-style rock riffs, and open-string fingerpicking
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- C Mixolydian in Standard Tuning
- C Mixolydian in Drop D
- C Mixolydian in DADGAD
- 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