A Mixolydian scale

The A Mixolydian scale has the notes A B C♯ D E F♯ G. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7. It is mode 5 of the D major scale: the same notes, starting on A. Key signature: 2 sharps (C♯ F♯).

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Scale notes

Degree	Formula	Note
I	1	A tonic
II	2	B
III	3	C♯
IV	4	D
V	5	E
VI	6	F♯
VII	b7	G

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
I7 modal center	A7	A C♯ E G	Mixolydian A	9 (B), 13 (F♯)	11 (D)
IIm7	Bm7	B D F♯ A	Aeolian B	9 (C♯), 11 (E)	b13 (G)
IIIø	C♯ø	C♯ E G B	Locrian C♯	11 (F♯), b13 (A)	b9 (D)
IVMaj7	DMaj7	D F♯ A C♯	Ionian D	9 (E), 13 (B)	11 (G)
Vm7	Em7	E G B D	Dorian E	9 (F♯), 11 (A)	13 (C♯)
VIm7	F♯m7	F♯ A C♯ E	Phrygian F♯	11 (B)	b9 (G), b13 (D)
bVIIMaj7 characteristic	GMaj7	G B D F♯	Lydian G	9 (A), #11 (C♯), 13 (E)	–

Character and characteristic note

The Mixolydian mode is the fifth mode of the major scale. It is a major scale with a flat seventh (b7); its tonic chord is a dominant seventh, hence its solid, robust sound.

Effect: solid, robust.
Characteristic note: b7.
Characteristic chords: bVIIMaj7 (GMaj7).

How to use it

Center I7 (or I7sus4), the only dominant allowed in modal music. Characteristic chord bVIIMaj7 (it contains the b7). The melody keeps coming back to 1 or 5, contrasted with the b7. No dominant resolution.

Watch out for

IVMaj7 tonicizes the Ionian of IV; patterns such as II-7 I7sus4 IVMaj7 relocate the center.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A Mixolydian scale?

A B C♯ D E F♯ G. 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7.

What chords can you build on the A Mixolydian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are I7 = A7, IIm7 = Bm7, IIIø = C♯ø, IVMaj7 = DMaj7, Vm7 = Em7, VIm7 = F♯m7, bVIIMaj7 = GMaj7.