A Mixolydian Mode

mode·/modes/mixolydian/a/

The A Mixolydian Mode contains the notes A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G.

Notes: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G · Piano keys: A B C♯ D E F♯ G

Reviewed for accuracy · Last updated June 2026 · Maintained by Justin Evans

Jump to any MODE

Piano Deck · Scale

Three quick cards on A Mixolydian Mode

Answer on the keyboard, not with buttons. No login required.

A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G

Formula:W-W-H-W-W-H-W

Intervals:P1-M2-M3-P4-P5-M6-m7-P8

Scale Degrees:1-2-3-4-5-6-♭7-8

Practice A Mixolydian Mode

Reading about it is one thing. Drilling it is what makes it automatic.

Practice Room →Plug in a MIDI keyboard for real-time feedback Circle of Fifths →See where this mode sits among the keys

Introduction

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

A Mixolydian Mode Notes

Degree	Name	Note	Interval
1	Tonic	A	P1
2	Supertonic	B	M2
3	Mediant	C♯	M3
4	Subdominant	D	P4
5	Dominant	E	P5
6	Submediant	F♯	M6
♭7	Leading Tone	G	m7

Key Signature

The A Mixolydian Mode draws its notes from D Major, so it is written with that key signature: 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).

F♯C♯

Order of sharps

Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.

F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯

Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

Diatonic Chords in the A Mixolydian Mode

These are the triads built on each degree of the A Mixolydian Mode:

I — A Major (major)

Degree	Numeral	Chord	Quality
1	I	A Major	Major
2	ii	B Minor	Minor
3	iii°	C♯ Diminished	Diminished
4	IV	D Major	Major
5	v	E Minor	Minor
6	vi	F♯ Minor	Minor
7	VII	G Major	Major

How Mixolydian Relates to the Major Scale

Mode

Key

A Mixolydian uses the same notes as D Major

Relative modes — all share the same notes

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

Common Tones

Common tones are the notes that two scales or modes share. Knowing which notes the A mode shares with its parallel modes (same root, different scale) helps with improvisation, modal interchange, and smooth voice leading. The more notes two modes share, the more closely related they sound — and the easier it is to slide between them in a solo or progression.

Parallel Mode	Common Notes	Shared / 7
A Dorian	A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A	8 / 7
A Phrygian	A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A	8 / 7
A Lydian	A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A	8 / 7
A Locrian	A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G – A	8 / 7
A Ionian	A – B – C♯ – D – E	5 / 7
A Aeolian	A – B – C♯ – D – E	5 / 7

A Mixolydian Mode — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the A Mixolydian mode?

A Mixolydian contains: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G. Fifth mode of D Major. Flatted 7th (G instead of G#).

How does A Mixolydian differ from A Major?

One note: flatted 7th (G vs G#).

What is the parent major scale?

Fifth mode of D Major.

How is A Mixolydian used in music?

Matches A7. Very common in blues, rock, and country. A7 is one of the most used dominant chords.

What chords are built from A Mixolydian?

A, Bm, C#dim, D, Em, F#m, G.

What songs use Mixolydian?

Sweet Home Alabama, blues, classic rock, country.

Practice Tips

Lower G# to G — hear the bluesy transformation.
A Mixolydian matches A7 — essential blues vocabulary.
Practice over an A7 vamp.
The I–bVII–IV (A–G–D) is classic rock.
Very common in country and blues.
Compare with A Major.

Leave a note

Spotted a typo, have a question, or want to add something? We read every note.