Mixolydian Mode

Hi, I've been trying to find a lesson on how to play the mixolydian mode, there are plenty of lessons on using it, but they seem to presume you already know how to play the scale properly, which I don't.

I have a basic idea of what modes are, just a short cut through the major scale (i think) but i like to be shown the exact notes etc, i learn better that way, are there any lessons on simply how to play the mixo mode and/or the other modes like dorian etc.

I'd appreciate any help, thanks.

google it..

What about this:
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=11492

Many lessons on licks with mixolydian mode start with the scale.

Carmine

Mixolydian mode is a major scale with a dominant 7 (flat 7) and played over dominant 7 chords (C7, A7, etc)

Originally Posted by: zeke_blokeHi, I've been trying to find a lesson on how to play the mixolydian mode, there are plenty of lessons on using it, but they seem to presume you already know how to play the scale properly, which I don't.

Here is an intro to the modes of the major scale.

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=370

Here is how to practice & use each mode.

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=770

Have fun!

Originally Posted by: zeke_blokeI have a basic idea of what modes are, just a short cut through the major scale (i think) but i like to be shown the exact notes etc, i learn better that way, are there any lessons on simply how to play the mixo mode and/or the other modes like dorian etc.

I'd appreciate any help, thanks.

To know the exact notes for each mode would be quite the feat.

An easier way, in my opinion, would be learning the mode patterns.

First off, the Mixo mode "formula" is: W-W-H-W-W-H-W. So pretty much a major scale but you flat the 7th.

So lets take any random note and apply that formula, lets do D. So D-E-F#-G-A-B-C-D. (Key of G)

Now what that does is it creates a specific pattern on the fretboard (assuming you know tab...):

-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------10-12---------------------------------
------------10-12-14----------------------------------------
-10-12-14---------------------------------------------------

There you go! Now go to a G# on the fretboard and do that pattern, youll be doing G# Mixolydian. Go to a C on the fretboard and do that pattern, youll be doing C Mixolydian. When it comes to the patterns, you have to focus heavily on the root note and the note that makes the mixolydian unique, that b7th.

That is probably the simplest way to explain it. For some on this website, it may be over-simplifying it. There are some further details I could get into, but I think that is a good starter.

In it's simplest form, the Mixolydian mode is a major scale with a flatted 7th instead of a major 7th. It's use comes into play when you are playing over the 5th of a chord, assuming that that chord is just a Dominant 7th chord. Honestly, the use of Mixolydian (like all modes) best comes into play when you are able to stretch outside of the tonal center. If you are playing over a C chord, and no 7th is present in the chord; than see what happens when you sneak that b7 in there. May work, may not. It all depends on your conviction and the music being played around it.

As far as most modes go, I feel Mixolydian tends to get shoved aside being that it is a scale that roots itself in the Dominant 7th chord. When those chords come up, there are TONS of scales and melodic ideas that you can try that by way of tradition and recorded music work very well.

I would say make sure you have a few scale patterns of Mixolydian under your belt and than try and apply them in your practice routine by looping some chord progressions and seeing what sounds best. Honestly, the rules are only there to teach and from there with the right conviction and confidence you would be amazed at what you could make work. Good luck. :)

Originally Posted by: chrism88google it..

This is not very helpful. If you don't plan on helping, please refrain from these types of posts.

Originally Posted by: RickBlackerThis is not very helpful. If you don't plan on helping, please refrain from these types of posts.

I agree that the reply wasn't helpful but who do you think you are? If you're a forum moderator, fine but using "please refrain from these types of posts" is a bit of a superior attitude to take. Point out the error of his ways by all means but cut the judgemental stance.

Originally Posted by: GuitarPlayer479I agree that the reply wasn't helpful but who do you think you are?

Google it...

Originally Posted by: GuitarPlayer479I agree that the reply wasn't helpful but who do you think you are? If you're a forum moderator, fine but using "please refrain from these types of posts" is a bit of a superior attitude to take. Point out the error of his ways by all means but cut the judgemental stance.

His response was completely called for. There was no superior or judgmental attitude coming from Rick. "Please refrain from these types of posts" is the nicest way I can think of to say stop posting your useless crap responses that aren't helping anyone, which is what I would have said. Sounds to me like you're the one with the judgmental stance.

... and now back to our regularly scheduled mode, Mixolydian! :)

This tutorial shows how to use the mixolydian mode to play on the V7 chord (the dominant chord) of a progression & also how to use it to play a V7 of V modulation by simply moving the same pattern around!

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=980

Shred away!

The important thing to understand about Mixolydian, is if you don't understand the Mode in use over its backing tracks, chances are you're just using it as an Extension of the Major scale in function.

You can solo all day over what you think is one thing but functionally its doing something else entirely different.

To say use it over a Dominant 7th is really only partly answering the question. Isn't it? There are a multitude of uses for the Mixolydian mode, but you do need a foundation in Music Theory, to where you understand triads and their functions within the Key, Knowledge of extended chords off triads, and the understanding of the interrelationships with Chords and their Scales.

I'm not trying to double talk anyone here, but the competent knowledge of Modes is something that requires you to know your basics in music theory, and it's a fact that's rarely discussed adequately out there. For instance, in Dorian, the characteristic note is a Natural 6th. The more instances of chords which use the diatonic version of that mode and incorporate the Natural 6th, the more cognizant that Mode application will be. Also you have to structure your notes so that it the tonal center is in fact the root of whatever Dorian scale you are playing, for it truly to have a Modal feel. Hence many people use 2 chord vamps or pedal tones, or say listen to Miles Davis' So What to get an understanding of Dorian, for example.

The truth is, you'll need quite a background in applied music theory to ever fully answer your questions beyond the answer, given and that's not always what someone wants to hear.

What's left, is for you is to decide how meaningful to you is it to to have that level of knowledge.

lesson on the mixolydian mode -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLDw_gj5e3g

Originally Posted by: cheebahawk215lesson on the mixolydian mode -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLDw_gj5e3g

This is a Grateful Dead Video. No Lesson.

Originally Posted by: seanamonThe important thing to understand about Mixolydian, is if you don't understand the Mode in use over its backing tracks, chances are you're just using it as an Extension of the Major scale in function.[/quote]
Fair enough! Good point. :)

Here is an intro to the modes of the major scale.

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=370

Here is how to practice & use each mode.

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=770
[QUOTE=seanamon]There are a multitude of uses for the Mixolydian mode, but you do need a foundation in Music Theory, to where you understand triads and their functions within the Key, Knowledge of extended chords off triads, and the understanding of the interrelationships with Chords and their Scales.

You bet. And I have plenty of lessons on all those topics. However, it can also be valuable for beginners to the modes to simply play around with them to start to hear how they sound. It's ultimately invaluable to know how the modes are integrated into the wider aspects of music theory.

But it's not necessary to get started. And for some players it's not desireable to spend years studying functional harmony to grasp the virually unlimited possibilities of the modes. So it depends upon each individual's goals with the guitar & music.

You are right that competent knowledge of modes requires basics in music theory. But we discuss it often here! And we have multiple video lesson tutorials that deal with it in depth!

Hope that helps. :)

I highly recommend Jimmy Bruno's approach to the modes and fingerings - check " No nonsense Jazz guitar" Great stuff :)