Learn Guitar Scales : Using the Mixolydian Mode For Powerful Guitar Solos

By Nick Dillon


When you learn guitar scales, you become able to really spice up your lead guitar playing. Once you begin to learn guitar scales, you get beyond the "blues box" or just playing by ear (which is often not all that it's made out to be). And one of the best guitar scales to learn is the Mixolydian Mode.

The Mixolydian Mode can be used with any of the 12 keys. Since the Mixolydian Mode is in reality a different way of playing the major scale, knowing it as well as the major scale, essentially doubles the number of scales that you have at your disposal. When you learn guitar scales, you learn that a scale is a set of seven notes that is defined by the root note. Now, for less than advanced guitar players, this means the note that you first play and the note that you last play when you play the scale. This note should also somehow be emphasized, such as by bending it or sustaining it for longer than the other notes that you hit for your lead break or solo.

A mode is more than just the first and last note of the scale. A mode contains a distinct set of notes defined by their distance from the root note. This actually defines the mode's feel and sound. Regardless of the key, these notes will be seperated by the same intervals or steps.

The Mixolydian mode is defined by these distinct "steps" or intervals: Root, major 2nd, major 3rd, major 4th, major 5th, major 6th, and flatted 7th. So, in the C major key the notes are: G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. If this were actually the G major scale, then the F would be sharpened, this is the only difference. The flattened 7th of the Mixolydian mode compared to the major 7th of the major scale makes the mode sound more "bluesy".

The "key" describes the central note or tone around which a piece of music is based. The mixolydian mode can be used to solo over the G major chords in the key of C or its relative minor : A minor. The mode can also be used to solo where G is the key in itself.

The Mixolydian Mode is applied to many different styles or genres of music. This mode is often used in rock music to give a solo a melodic, powerful, and bright feel. As an example; Slash of Guns n Roses used this mode for his first two solos in "Sweet Child O Mine". You will also find this mode extensively used in Jazz guitar.

When you learn guitar scales, don't forget your modes. Learn the Mixolydian Mode.




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