F Mixolydian scale

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

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

Open in Grados with sound →

Scale notes

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

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
I7 modal center	F7	F A C E♭	Mixolydian F	9 (G), 13 (D)	11 (B♭)
IIm7	Gm7	G B♭ D F	Aeolian G	9 (A), 11 (C)	b13 (E♭)
IIIø	Aø	A C E♭ G	Locrian A	11 (D), b13 (F)	b9 (B♭)
IVMaj7	B♭Maj7	B♭ D F A	Ionian B♭	9 (C), 13 (G)	11 (E♭)
Vm7	Cm7	C E♭ G B♭	Dorian C	9 (D), 11 (F)	13 (A)
VIm7	Dm7	D F A C	Phrygian D	11 (G)	b9 (E♭), b13 (B♭)
bVIIMaj7 characteristic	E♭Maj7	E♭ G B♭ D	Lydian E♭	9 (F), #11 (A), 13 (C)	–

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 (E♭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 F Mixolydian scale?

F G A B♭ C D E♭. 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7.

What chords can you build on the F Mixolydian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are I7 = F7, IIm7 = Gm7, IIIø = Aø, IVMaj7 = B♭Maj7, Vm7 = Cm7, VIm7 = Dm7, bVIIMaj7 = E♭Maj7.