Mixolydian Mode

5th Mode of Major · W–W–H–W–W–H–W

The fifth mode of the major scale — a major scale with a flatted seventh degree that gives it a bluesy, rocking, dominant character. Mixolydian is the sound of classic rock, blues, and funk.

View C Mixolydian

FormulaW–W–H–W–W–H–W

Scale degrees1–2–3–4–5–6–♭7

Characteristic noteMinor 7th (flatted compared to major scale)

SoundMajor but bluesy, rocking, dominant, open

Common inRock, blues, funk, country, jam bands

Famous exampleSweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd (D Mixolydian)

The warm oranges palette on this page is inspired by music-color synesthesia — a neurological phenomenon where people perceive colors when hearing music. Synesthetes commonly associate Mixolydian mode with warm oranges, reflecting its bluesy, driving, and earthy feel.

About the Mixolydian Mode

The C Mixolydian mode is the fifth mode of the F Major scale. It has a major sound with a flatted seventh degree, widely used in rock, blues, and folk.

How Mixolydian differs from Major (Ionian)

Only one note changes — the 7th degree is flatted by a half step. This single change removes the leading tone's pull toward the tonic, giving Mixolydian a more relaxed, open feel. The ♭VII major chord is the hallmark Mixolydian sound.

About the Mixolydian Mode

Mixolydian mode starts on the fifth degree of the major scale. Like the major scale in most respects, it has one crucial difference: a flatted seventh. This ♭VII gives Mixolydian its unmistakable bluesy, driving, earthy quality. It is the foundation of blues, rock, and funk tonality.