Mixolydian mode: notes, formula and its rock sound
The Mixolydian mode is a major scale with a flat 7th (1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7). Hear its bluesy rock sound, see it in all 12 keys and spot the wrong note.
The Mixolydian mode is a major scale with a flat 7th: degrees 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ♭7. G Mixolydian is G A B C D E F G, the white keys from G. It sounds major but relaxed and bluesy, the sound of rock, folk and Celtic tunes.
Listen: C Mixolydian mode
C D E F G A B♭ C
What is the formula of the Mixolydian mode?
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Notes | 7 |
| Semitones from the tonic | 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| Step pattern | W-W-H-W-W-H-W |
| Uses the notes of | the major scale a perfect fifth below (5th mode) |
What does the Mixolydian mode sound like?
Major with a laid-back, bluesy edge: no leading note, so the melody does not strain toward the tonic.
How to recognise it by ear
- Compare with major: only the 7th differs (F in G Mixolydian, F sharp in G major).
- Mixolydian is the 5th mode of the major scale: G Mixolydian uses the notes of C major.
- It matches the dominant seventh chord (G B D F), so it is the natural scale over a dominant chord.
Spot the wrong note
Each scale below is a Mixolydian mode with one note moved a half step. Find it by ear.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
The Mixolydian mode in all 12 keys
| Scale | Notes | Same notes as | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| C Mixolydian | C D E F G A B♭ | F major | |
| G Mixolydian | G A B C D E F | C major | |
| D Mixolydian | D E F♯ G A B C | G major | |
| A Mixolydian | A B C♯ D E F♯ G | D major | |
| E Mixolydian | E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D | A major | |
| B Mixolydian | B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A | E major | |
| F♯ Mixolydian | F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E | B major | |
| D♭ Mixolydian | D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ C♭ | G♭ major | |
| A♭ Mixolydian | A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F G♭ | D♭ major | |
| E♭ Mixolydian | E♭ F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ | A♭ major | |
| B♭ Mixolydian | B♭ C D E♭ F G A♭ | E♭ major | |
| F Mixolydian | F G A B♭ C D E♭ | B♭ major |
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of the Mixolydian mode?
W-W-H-W-W-H-W, or degrees 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, flat 7 (0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 semitones).
What notes are in G Mixolydian?
G A B C D E F: the notes of C major, starting on G.
What is the difference between Mixolydian and major?
The 7th degree: a minor 7th in Mixolydian, a major 7th in the major scale.
Where is the Mixolydian mode used?
Over dominant seventh chords in jazz and blues, and in much rock, folk and Celtic music.