D FLAT MIXOLYDIAN MODE

‘D Flat Mixolydian’ is the 5th mode of the G flat major scale. The notes in Db Mixolydian are:

Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb

If you have read the post on understanding the mixolydian mode, you will know that the mixolydian mode contains a ‘flat 7′ (parallel approach). You will also know that it is the 5th mode of the major scale (derivative approach). Because the flat 7′ (or ‘lowered 7′) is the only difference between the mixolydian mode and the major scale, it is a very simple mode to analyze. Let’s briefly look at how to construct Db mixolydian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.

Parallel Approach:

Db Major has the following notes:

Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – C

If we ‘lower’ the 7th note, we get the following:

Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb

Derivative Approach:

Db is the 5th note of the Gb major scale:

Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb – Db – Eb – F

If we play the Gb major scale and start on the 5th note we get the following:

Db – Eb – F – Gb – Ab – Bb – Cb

Let’s look at the Db mixolydian mode in the different positions on the guitar fretboard:

Positions Along the Fretboard:

Firstly, let’s look at the open position:

Now let’s look at Db mixolydian in the 1st position (lowest fret is 1)

Now let’s look at Db mixolydian in the 2nd position (lowest fret is 2)

Now let’s look at Db mixolydian in the 6th position (lowest fret is 6)

Now let’s look at Db mixolydian in the 7th position (lowest fret is 7)

Finally, let’s look at Db mixolydian in the 10th position (lowest fret is 10)

That covers the 5 basic positions and the open position of Db mixolydian along the guitar fretboard.

For an in depth explanation of the mixolydian mode, check out mixolydian mode explained.