C Mixolydian scale

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

It can also be written as B♯; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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Scale notes

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

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
I7 modal center	C7	C E G B♭	Mixolydian C	9 (D), 13 (A)	11 (F)
IIm7	Dm7	D F A C	Aeolian D	9 (E), 11 (G)	b13 (B♭)
IIIø	Eø	E G B♭ D	Locrian E	11 (A), b13 (C)	b9 (F)
IVMaj7	FMaj7	F A C E	Ionian F	9 (G), 13 (D)	11 (B♭)
Vm7	Gm7	G B♭ D F	Dorian G	9 (A), 11 (C)	13 (E)
VIm7	Am7	A C E G	Phrygian A	11 (D)	b9 (B♭), b13 (F)
bVIIMaj7 characteristic	B♭Maj7	B♭ D F A	Lydian B♭	9 (C), #11 (E), 13 (G)	–

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 (B♭Maj7).

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 C Mixolydian scale?

C D E F G A B♭. 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7.

What chords can you build on the C Mixolydian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are I7 = C7, IIm7 = Dm7, IIIø = Eø, IVMaj7 = FMaj7, Vm7 = Gm7, VIm7 = Am7, bVIIMaj7 = B♭Maj7.