Improvise in Mixolydian Mode

Introduction

(For more information about building modes, see Understanding Modal Harmony.)

The Mixolydian mode is similar to the major scale, but with a ♭7. A Mixolydian vamp will tend to focus on the ♭7 sound as much as possible. One would often hear the I⁷ as the tonic chord, with other chords also supporting the ♭7.

The tracks here are focused on learning to improvise in C Mixolydian. The ♭7 of the scale is B♭ (instead of the B which would appear normally in C major.

The three backing tracks presented here offer the chance to improvise in C major only, (“G”), B♭ Lydian only (“H”) and a track that switches back and forth between the two (“GH”).

The Chord Progression

Note that there are three tracks: one for “G”, one for “H”, and one for “GH”.

C Ionian (Major)

• play
• pause

C Mixolydian

• play
• pause

Track “G” — C Major Only

Improvise using the major scale only.

Track “H” — C Mixolydian Only

Improvise using the C Mixolydian scale only.

Track “GH” — C Major, C Mixolydian

Switch back and forth between the major and mixolydian scales.

As the creator of Hub Guitar, Grey has compiled hundreds of guitar lessons, written several books, and filmed hundreds of video lessons. He teaches private lessons in his Boston studio, as well as via video chat through TakeLessons.