What Is the Mixolydian Mode?
The Mixolydian mode is one of the seven traditional musical modes and is often described as a major scale with a bluesy, slightly funky twist. It sounds familiar and bright like the major scale but has a distinctive flattened seventh note that gives it a laid-back, dominant quality.
To understand the Mixolydian mode, start on the note G and play only the white keys on the piano up to the next G:
G – A – B – C – D – E – F – G
All Mixolydian scales will have the same intervals between consecutive notes as the notes above.
Where Do You Typically Hear the Mixolydian Mode?
The Mixolydian mode is everywhere in popular music, especially in blues, rock, and funk. Its relaxed yet powerful vibe is ideal for guitar riffs, solos, and grooves that want to keep a major tonality but with a bit of edge and swing.
In blues music, Mixolydian often forms the backbone of improvisation, since the flattened seventh fits perfectly over dominant seventh chords. Classic rock songs by bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles frequently use Mixolydian to create catchy, soulful melodies.
Jazz musicians also use Mixolydian extensively, particularly when improvising over dominant seventh chords. It gives solos a strong tonal center but with room for colorful notes and bluesy phrasing.
You’ll also hear Mixolydian in country, folk, and funk music, where its bright yet slightly off sound adds energy and personality.
How to Build the Mixolydian Scale
Method 1: By Making Use of the Intervals between Consecutive Notes
The G Mixolydian gives: G- A- B- C- D- E- F- G
The Mixolydian mode follows this interval pattern between consecutive notes:
W – W – H – W – W – H – W
In short, the 3rd to 4th degree, and 6th to 7th degree of the scale are half a step apart (H), while other consecutive notes are a whole step (W) apart.
Method 2: By Making Use of the 5th Degree of Major Scales
You can also create the Mixolydian mode by playing all the notes of a major scale but starting on its 5th degree. For example, the C major scale is:
C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C
Starting on G (the 5th note) and continuing up to the next G gives you G Mixolydian:
G – A – B – C – D – E – F – G
Method 3: Modifying the Major Scale
Another way to form Mixolydian from a major scale is by lowering the 7th degree of the scale by half a step. For example, the G major scale is:
G – A – B – C – D – E – F# – G
The 7th degree of G Major is F#. Lowering F# by half a step gives F.
Hence, this is G Mixolydian:
G – A – B – C – D – E – F – G
Listen to Music in all 7 modes:
Listen to Hot Cross Bun in all 7 different modes. Feel the mood when Hot Cross Bun is played in G Mixolydian.
What’s Next?
Now that you have learn about the Mixolydian mode, try practicing Mixolydian scales, or experiment with writing music in Mixolydian mode.