Learn Guitar Scales : Great Sounding Mixolydian Solos


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.

When you learn guitar scales, you learn that a scale is a set of seven notes that is defined by the root note. The Mixolydian mode is created by taking the major scale, and simply making the fifth note the new root note. The distinct steps of the major scale are retained, we just start and end on a different note. So we now create a new sounding scale called the Mixolydian mode which can be applied to all twelve keys.

If we look a little deeper, a mode can be more than just the first and last note of the scale. A mode contains a distinct set of intervals, and this actually defines the mode’s feel and sound, while the key that the mode is played in defines the exact notes contained.

The Mixolydian mode contains these notes: Root, major 2nd, major 3rd, major 4th, major 5th, major 6th, and flatted 7th. So, if this mode is played in the key of C major, the notes are: G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. The only difference between this mode and the G major scale, is that the major scale has an F sharp. This one note difference gives the Mixolydian mode a more “bluesy” sound by way of the flat 7th.

The term “key” describes the central note around which a piece of music is based. The mixolydian mode can be played over the G major chords in the key of C major or its relative minor : A minor. The mode can also be applied to a solo or lead break where G is the tonic centre or key in itself.

This mode is often used in rock music to give a solo a melodic, powerful, and bright feel. As an example; Slash, from the original line up of Guns n Roses used this mode for his first two solos in “Sweet Child O Mine”. Jazz guitar players often use the Mixolydian Mode to solo over a chord progression. This mode is applied to many different genres or styles of music.

When you learn guitar scales, have a look at the modes. They will help you create dazzling solos by adding more colour and diversity than the simple pentatonic scales. The Mixolydian Mode is a favourite of many guitarists.

Learn Guitar Scales the super easy way, and witness your lead guitar playing skills skyrocket in no time at all. For a limited time you can receive your very own FREE E Book that will fast track your guitar guitar soloing skills. Click the link below for your FREE copy now! Pentatonic Guitar Scales


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