Scales, Keys & Modes

Mixolydian Mode

Pronounced mik-soh-LID-ee-un

Definition

The Mixolydian mode is a major-sounding scale with a lowered 7th: the white keys from G to G. It fits the dominant seventh chord and is a staple of rock, blues and folk.

The Mixolydian mode is the white keys from G to G: G A B C D E F G. Its 3rd is major (B), so it sounds major, but its 7th degree (F) is a half step lower than the F♯ of G major. Without a leading tone a half step below home, Mixolydian sounds relaxed and earthy rather than eager to resolve.

Two treble-clef examples in 4/4. G Mixolydian: quarter notes G A B C D E F G, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, flat 7, 8. C Mixolydian: C D E F G A B-flat C, with the same numbers. Curved lines join degrees 3–4 and 6–7. — G Mixolydian on the white keys and C Mixolydian, numbered against the major scale. The lowered 7th (F in G, B♭ in C) moves the second half step down to 6–♭7. The curved lines join the half steps.

The step pattern

W – W – H – W – W – H – W

Measured against the major scale, Mixolydian is 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7: major with one note lowered. That lowered 7th is often called the flat seven, and as a scale degree it is the subtonic.

The Mixolydian sound

Stack the mode's 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th degrees and you get G B D F, a dominant seventh chord. That is why jazz musicians use Mixolydian as the basic chord-scale for a dominant seventh chord (G7), and why it fits the blues so naturally.

In chords, the lowered 7th makes the triad built on it major: F major in G Mixolydian. The progressions I–♭VII (G to F) and I–♭VII–IV (G, F, C) are the classic Mixolydian sound in a great deal of rock and folk-rock.

Grand staff in 4/4, two bars of half-note chords: G major, F major, C major and G major, over bass notes G, F, C and G. Chord symbols above; I, flat VII, IV and I below the treble staff. — A Mixolydian progression in G: G (I), F (♭VII), C (IV), G (I). The F major chord is built on the lowered 7th; in G major the chord on the 7th degree would be F♯ diminished.

Where you hear it

Mixolydian is everywhere in rock, blues, funk and country, and in much Celtic folk music, including many bagpipe tunes. In classical music you meet it in plainchant, where it was the seventh of the eight medieval modes, and in later music that draws on folk sources.

Finding Mixolydian in any key

Mixolydian starts on the 5th degree of a major scale, so its parent key is a perfect fourth higher: G Mixolydian uses the notes of C major, D Mixolydian those of G major (one sharp), and C Mixolydian those of F major (one flat), C D E F G A B♭ C. Or take the major scale on the same note and lower its 7th.

G Mixolydian: the white keys from G to G. F (coral) is the lowered 7th, a whole step below the tonic.

Common questions

What is the difference between Mixolydian and major?

One note: the 7th. Mixolydian's 7th is a whole step below the tonic (F in G Mixolydian) instead of a half step (F♯ in G major), so it has no leading tone.

Why is Mixolydian used over dominant seventh chords?

Its 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th degrees spell a dominant seventh chord (G B D F in G Mixolydian), so every chord tone is in the scale and the remaining notes fill the gaps between them.