Mr. Beefy’s Blues
By Brian Emmel
LearnBassGuitarOnline.com

In this bass lesson I will show you what scales and modes work over Dominant-Seven chords in a Blues style arrangement.

Mixolydian Mode Blues

The Mixolydian mode is the mode or scale that comes from the 5th degree of a major scale and is the mother-mode from which Dominant-Seven chords come from.

Example: D Major scale: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#

Mixolydian mode: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G

When you take the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th notes from this mode, you will have the composition of an A7 or A Dominant-Seven chord.

A, D & E Mixolydian Modes
in the Open & 1st Position

Dorian Mode Blues

I will also demonstrate that by playing the Dorian mode, which is the 2nd degree of a major scale, played over Dominant-Seven chords, produce a Bluesy affect.

Example: Key of A Blues

Play A Dorian, 2nd degree in the key of G major over all 3 Dominant chords: A7, D7, and E7.

A Dorian mode: A,B, C, D, E, F#, G

A, D & E Dorian Modes
in the Open & 1st Position