A# Mixolydian Mandolin Scale — Standard
Mandolin scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
A# Mixolydian in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The A# Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale and the heart of rock and roll and blues. On Mandolin, it contains the notes A#, C, D, D#, F, G, G#. 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 A# Mixolydian are A#7, Cm7, Dm7b5, D#Maj7, Fm7, Gm7, G#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: A#, C, D, D#, F, G, G#
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: Standard (G-D-A-E)
Also known as: dominant
Diatonic Chords
A♯7 — Cm7 — Dm7♭5 — D♯Maj7 — Fm7 — Gm7 — G♯Maj7
About Standard Tuning
The mandolin is tuned in fifths — G-D-A-E from low to high — the same intervals as a violin. This tuning gives the mandolin its distinctive bright, penetrating tone that cuts through any ensemble. With only four courses of doubled strings and 20 frets, the mandolin rewards precise melodic playing and rapid tremolo picking.
From Bill Monroe's invention of bluegrass to Chris Thile's genre-defying virtuosity with Punch Brothers, the mandolin has proven itself far beyond its folk roots. Its fifths tuning makes it a natural partner for fiddle players, and its compact fretboard encourages creative chord voicings and rapid scale runs that are impossible on guitar. The mandolin is also central to Italian classical music, Brazilian choro, and Irish traditional music.
Notable artists: Bill Monroe, Chris Thile, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull
Best for: Bluegrass leads, Celtic melodies, tremolo picking, and any ensemble that needs a bright, cutting melodic voice