Mastering Mixolydian

Hey everyone! Here's the next episode of Scales & Tales with Mastering Mixolydian. This episode continues our recent dive into exploring the modes from the major scale, and now we've reached the popular/common fifth mode - Mixolydian - so let's dive in!

Mixolydian can be heard in just about every musical style - from blues, funk, rock, pop, jazz, fusion, classical, country, and more. This scale seems to be commonly used whether the performer actually realized what they were playing or not. This modal flavor fits perfectly over Dominant 7th chords, such as the common G7 open-position chord many players learn in the early days of playing the guitar ("the Level 1 Mel Bay years").

The ideas shared in this episode include plenty of discovery/discussion surrounding this popular scale, including revealing the parent scale for this mode, a few simple Mixolydian scale fingerings, another look at the common Dominant Pentatonic scale (a.k.a. "Mixolydian Pentatonic"), a number of useful Mixolydian-approved Dominant 7th chord voicings around the fretboard, the interesting "Mixolydian Mirror" octave-connecting idea (which Jeff Beck loved to employ), and a few classic Mixolydian flavored song examples from Jeff Beck's historic 'Freeway Jam' and 'Led Boots' tracks (to name a few).

Needless to say, if you've been following this series of modal-themed lessons, are interested in learning more about/sharpening your skills with this common modal scale and tonality, are a big Jeff Beck fan (like me), or maybe you're just curious what all the fuss is about - this lesson is totally for you! Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!

~ Rest In Peace Jeff Beck ~

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[mycroft]

mixolydian pentatonic feels like such a natural scale to play

[aylbdrmadison]

There is also a corresponding pentatonic mode that is one of the Indian scales (it's one of my favorite modes).
It's: Root, Major 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, flat 7th. Essentially mixolydian without the 2nd and 6th.
I used to call this "The Jeff Beck scale." R.I.P. 🥰
Edit: Dave's already on it. I should know better than to comment before the video is done. But I don't. lols

[harmonic]

I was just going to comment Satriani but you mentioned at the end. Good stuff bro!

[friedrudibega]

For the intermediate to professional player, this is the guy to watch.
There’s always something to learn, even if it’s the same stuff from a different mind and perspective.
Great content!

[WillCash]

Great stuff as always man! Love the tune choice! Jerry Garcia always comes to mind as well when thinking of someone who loved ripping some mixo. Cheers!

[aylbdrmadison]

I had that same Zep shirt in the late 70's, early 80's.
It was my favorite and ended with more holes than shirt before I finally got rid of it.

[suzannecoholic]

I recall listening to lots of Beck after he passed (my way of mourning I guess) and worked out a scale of the notes he often played. I had NO IDEA it was this mixolydian pentatonic. I never thought it could be a pentatonic-type scale as I was trying to find other notes to make it work, but the full mixolydian mode didn't seem quite right. I just love the sound of this mode in pentatonic flavor.

[HarlanHarvey]

Man, I just caught Jennifer Batten opening for Greg Howe last night. She is definitely keeping the Jeff Beck torch burning. Greg Howe is just terrifying. If you are lucky enough to be near a city that Greg is coming through this year, I wouldn't miss it. So good.

[djangog]

Dude these lessons on the modes are a huge help and inspiration thank you. Each mode lesson I've been writing songs. I hope you never stop! A huge thank you! You're awesome. Actually every lesson I've ever watched and they're alot that I've watched have been alot of help and clarity. Cheers bro!!!!

[jteichma]

Love the way you chug the bass note on the g7sus4 examples! Fantastic lesson.

[timemerson]

This is my favorite lesson so far. Awesome work. Thanks

[crashdaddy]

I'm learning a ton from your lessons! 🤘

[swoopdog]

Really appreciate the answers to many questions I have about theory.

[jkjk]

Great lesson! I know the Mixolydian mode but didn't know of Mixolydian pentatonic, using those 5 notes.

[easter_sunday]

Mixolydian is one of my favorite modes! Thank you Sensei Dave!

[sixstringer]

My favorite Jeff Beck album Led Boots sounded soooo cool David especially with the new MXR looper going to save this lesson so I can learn that many thanks for all you do 🤘👍👏

[fabghassem]

Beautiful Lesson. Great material Dave; 🎸⚡️🎶

[Tototwice]

Monster player. Very knowledgeable as well!!

[dougshankle]

A long time ago I was trying to learn that Freeway Jam riff by ear and when I played that F note in there a lightbulb came on and all of a sudden Mixolydian made sense to me.

[tommartin]

This is great. I'm writing something in E mixo so this is super useful. I always fall into the trap of milking the half step between the 3rd and 4th which sounds way too pretty. Milking the flat 7th to 1st sounds much better. I'll apply this to my song.