The Mixolydian Mode

What does Mixolydian sound like?

Mixolydian sounds just like a major scale (also known as the Ionian mode), with one key difference: it includes a flat seventh note.

This distinctive feature removes the leading tone that typically points towards a possible resolution to the tonic. As a result, the Mixolydian mode creates less musical tension when compared to scales that do have a leading tone—such as the major and harmonic minor scales.

Mixolydian is also known as the dominant scale , with its tonic being a dominant seventh chord. This characteristic makes it a popular choice in blues—a genre that relies heavily on dominant sevenths.

A great example of Mixolydian in rock music is the song Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. Here, the movement from C# major to B major—with B being C# major’s flat seventh adds a characteristically relaxed feel to the song.

Learning the Mixolydian Mode

Mixolydian, like all musical modes, is built upon a specific pattern of whole-steps and half-steps: W-W-H-W-W-H-W. 

However, if you’re more familiar with the structure of the C major scale, you can use it as a reference.

^{C major scale starting on C}

Simply play the notes of the C major scale (all white keys) starting and ending on G instead of C and you will have the G Mixolydian mode. As easy as that!

Mnemonic

"That Mix is Groovy".

Mixolydian is all white keys starting from G.

^{G Mixolydian starting on G}

If you want to play the Mixolydian mode in a different key, just follow its whole-step/half-step pattern, but pick a different starting note.

^{E Mixolydian starting on E}

As we previously mentioned, the relaxed feel of Mixolydian arises from the absence of the leading tone. Consequently, the triad built upon the fifth note of the mode, is not a major chord but a minor one.

In C Mixolydian, for example, the fifth degree (V) of the mode is G. Building the triad of G in the Mixolydian mode contains the notes G, Bb and D, resulting in a G minor chord.

However, you can still borrow the major V chord from Ionian for a more accented feel of resolution towards the tonic. 

Alternative Method

If you happen to be more familiar with the major scale, you can just play one from any key you want, and flatten the seventh note. It can’t be easier!

^{E major scale starting on E}

^{E Mixolydian starting on E}

Mixolyidian b6

Another Mixolydian scale you can use is Mixolydian b6 (speak flat six). It consists basically of the same notes its regular counterpart has, but instead of the natural sixth, it has—you guessed right!—a flat sixth. Mixolydian b6 is built upon the following pattern of whole-steps and half-steps: W-W-H-W-H-W-W.

This flat sixth lends Mixolydian b6 a slightly more distinct, flavorful sound. It can be also understood as a sort of hybrid between a major scale (due to its starting pattern) and a minor scale (due to its ending pattern)—that’s why it’s also known as Aeolian Dominant.

^{C Mixolydian b6 starting on C}

A good example of Mixolydian b6 in action is the song “I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You” (from "The Mask of Zorro"), composed by James Horner. You can hear its special sound by listening to just the first few bars, where the flat sixth ignites an intimate, romantic mood.

Summary

Mixolydian is an incredibly versatile mode that can be employed in a wide variety of ways and contexts. A bluesy riff, a jazzy tune, a psychedelic solo, a relaxing folk ballad—you name it! It shares the major quality of the Ionian mode, but with a milder sense of tension, since it lacks a leading tone.

You can find the notes of the Mixolydian mode with either of these 3 methods:

1. Use the whole-step/half-step pattern of W-W-H-W-W-H-W.
2. Take the major scale and flatten the 7th note.
3. Play all the white notes starting from G (“That Mix is Groovy!”)

You can also experiment with the more tasty Mixolydian b6, which has the same structure except for a flattened sixth degree.

Now that you’ve learned how to use the Mixolydian mode, feel free to explore its wide array of emotional expressions!

Learn the other Modes