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Mode

Mixolydian Mode

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.

Each key below opens the full reference entry — keyboard diagram, audio, fingerings, and notation.

At the keyboard

C · D · E · F · G · A · Bb

View C Mixolydian

Formula: W–W–H–W–W–H–W

Scale degrees: 1–2–3–4–5–6–♭7

Characteristic note: Minor 7th (flatted compared to major scale)

Sound: Major but bluesy, rocking, dominant, open

Common in: Rock, blues, funk, country, jam bands

Famous example: Sweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd (D Mixolydian)

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.

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.

Musical Characteristics

Major quality with a flatted (minor) 7th
Bluesy, driving, and rock-oriented
The ♭VII chord creates the characteristic "rock" move
Works over dominant 7th chords

Common Uses

Rock and blues guitar soloing
Funk and groove-based music
Celtic and folk music
Jazz improvisation over dominant 7th chords

Common Chord Progressions

Rock Mixolydian

I – ♭VII – IV

Blues-rock vamp

I7 – IV7 – I7

Celtic cadence

I – ♭VII – I

Famous Examples in Music

"Sweet Home Chicago" — blues standard
"Norwegian Wood" — The Beatles
"Sweet Child O' Mine" — Guns N' Roses
"Clocks" — Coldplay

How Mixolydian Relates to the Major Scale

Mode

Key

C Mixolydian uses the same notes as F Major

Relative modes — all share the same notes

F Ionian=G Dorian=A Phrygian=B♭ Lydian=C Mixolydian=D Aeolian=E Locrian

Browse by key

All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.

Mixolydian in All 18 Keys

C MixolydianNotes: C – D – E – F – G – A – B♭

C♯ MixolydianNotes: C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B

D♭ MixolydianNotes: D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭

D MixolydianNotes: D – E – F♯ – G – A – B – C

D♯ MixolydianNotes: D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B♯ – C♯

E♭ MixolydianNotes: E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭

E MixolydianNotes: E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D

F MixolydianNotes: F – G – A – B♭ – C – D – E♭

F♯ MixolydianNotes: F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E

G♭ MixolydianNotes: G♭ – A♭ – B♭ – C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭

G MixolydianNotes: G – A – B – C – D – E – F

G♯ MixolydianNotes: G♯ – A♯ – B♯ – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯

A♭ MixolydianNotes: A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭

A MixolydianNotes: A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G

A♯ MixolydianNotes: A♯ – B♯ – C♯♯ – D♯ – E♯ – F♯♯ – G♯

B♭ MixolydianNotes: B♭ – C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭

B MixolydianNotes: B – C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A

C♭ MixolydianNotes: C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭

Want the full theory? How all seven modes relate, the bright-to-dark spectrum, characteristic notes, and practice strategies.Read the Modes Guide ›