E Mixolydian Guitar Scale — Open G

Guitar scale in Open G tuning — fretboard diagram

E mixolydian scale — 6-string guitar fretboard diagramInteractive fretboard diagram showing the E mixolydian scale on 6-string guitar with 22 frets. Notes: D, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#.DEF#G#ABC#DEF#G#ABBC#DEF#G#ABC#DEF#G#AG#ABC#DEF#G#ABC#DEDEF#G#ABC#DEF#G#ABG#ABC#DEF#G#ABC#DEDEF#G#ABC#DEF#G#AB1357911121315171921

E Mixolydian in Open G — Notes and Intervals

The E 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 E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D. 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 E Mixolydian are E7, F#m7, G#m7b5, AMaj7, Bm7, C#m7, DMaj7. 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: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D

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

E7 — F♯m7 — G♯m7♭5 — AMaj7 — Bm7 — C♯m7 — DMaj7

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.

BluesSlide GuitarRockCountryFolkRoots

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

← All Guitar scales in Open G tuning