What is the Ab Mixolydian b6 Scale?
Mixolydian ♭6 is the fifth mode of the melodic minor scale, blending the dominant ♭7 with a darkened ♭6 that gives it a bittersweet, almost cinematic quality. It works beautifully over dominant chords with altered extensions and shows up frequently in film scoring and Hindu-influenced fusion. Here's how the Ab Mixolydian b6 Scale lays out on the fretboard. This scale is enharmonically equivalent to G# Mixolydian b6.
Notes and Positions
Mixolydian with a flat 6th; 5th mode of melodic minor. Also called Hindu or Melodic Major. On guitar, the same scale tones repeat in multiple positions, so the real goal is learning how to connect shapes up and down the neck. Use the CAGED boxes as smaller practice areas before linking the full fretboard. In the key of Ab, the notes are: Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb.
How to Use It
You'll often hear it in Jazz, Indian Classical, and Dominant chords. A good way to internalize the sound is to sing the root, then sing a few scale degrees before you play them.
Alternate between ascending patterns and short musical phrases so it doesn't become a "scale exercise" only. Use the interactive fretboard above to spot repeats of the same note on different strings and frets.