E Mixolydian scale
The E Mixolydian scale has the notes E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7. It is mode 5 of the A major scale: the same notes, starting on E. Key signature: 3 sharps (F♯ G♯ C♯).
It can also be written as F♭; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.
Scale notes
| Degree | Formula | Note |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1 | E tonic |
| II | 2 | F♯ |
| III | 3 | G♯ |
| IV | 4 | A |
| V | 5 | B |
| VI | 6 | C♯ |
| VII | b7 | D |
Chords of the scale
| Symbol | Chord | Notes | Chord-scale | Tensions | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I7 modal center | E7 | E G♯ B D | Mixolydian E | 9 (F♯), 13 (C♯) | 11 (A) |
| IIm7 | F♯m7 | F♯ A C♯ E | Aeolian F♯ | 9 (G♯), 11 (B) | b13 (D) |
| IIIø | G♯ø | G♯ B D F♯ | Locrian G♯ | 11 (C♯), b13 (E) | b9 (A) |
| IVMaj7 | AMaj7 | A C♯ E G♯ | Ionian A | 9 (B), 13 (F♯) | 11 (D) |
| Vm7 | Bm7 | B D F♯ A | Dorian B | 9 (C♯), 11 (E) | 13 (G♯) |
| VIm7 | C♯m7 | C♯ E G♯ B | Phrygian C♯ | 11 (F♯) | b9 (D), b13 (A) |
| bVIIMaj7 characteristic | DMaj7 | D F♯ A C♯ | Lydian D | 9 (E), #11 (G♯), 13 (B) | – |
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 (DMaj7).
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 E Mixolydian scale?
E F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D. 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7.
What chords can you build on the E Mixolydian scale?
The seventh chords on each degree are I7 = E7, IIm7 = F♯m7, IIIø = G♯ø, IVMaj7 = AMaj7, Vm7 = Bm7, VIm7 = C♯m7, bVIIMaj7 = DMaj7.
Which major scale is the E Mixolydian scale a mode of?
It is mode 5 of the A major scale; they share the same notes.
Other modes on the same tonic
Related scale: A major scale