‘D flat mixolydian’ is the 5th mode of the Gb 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.
The Db mixolydian mode is the default scale that is used to improvise over Db dominant 7 chords.
Let’s briefly look at how to construct Db mixolydian using both the parallel approach and the derivative approach.
Db Mixolydian Mode Using The 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
Db Mixolydian Mode Using The 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:
Db Mixolydian in the Open Position
Firstly, let’s look at the open position:
Db Mixolydian CAGED Positions
Now let’s look at Db mixolydian in the 5 different CAGED positions along the fretboard.
Db Mixolydian 1st Position (Lowest Fret is 1)
Db Mixolydian 2nd Position (Lowest Fret is 2)
Db Mixolydian 6th Position (Lowest Fret is 6)
Db Mixolydian 7th Position (Lowest Fret is 7)
Db Mixolydian 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.
Further Reading
- Db7 chord (Db mixolydian works well over this chord).
- Db7 arpeggio (Db mixolydian is a great companion to the Db dominant 7 arpeggio).
- Gb Major scale contains the mode of Db mixolydian.
