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: 5 sharps (F♯ G♯ A♯ C♯ D♯).

It can also be written as G♭; we use the spelling with fewer accidentals.

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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	F♯7	F♯ A♯ C♯ E	Mixolydian F♯	9 (G♯), 13 (D♯)	11 (B)
IIm7	G♯m7	G♯ B D♯ F♯	Aeolian G♯	9 (A♯), 11 (C♯)	b13 (E)
IIIø	A♯ø	A♯ C♯ E G♯	Locrian A♯	11 (D♯), b13 (F♯)	b9 (B)
IVMaj7	BMaj7	B D♯ F♯ A♯	Ionian B	9 (C♯), 13 (G♯)	11 (E)
Vm7	C♯m7	C♯ E G♯ B	Dorian C♯	9 (D♯), 11 (F♯)	13 (A♯)
VIm7	D♯m7	D♯ F♯ A♯ C♯	Phrygian D♯	11 (G♯)	b9 (E), b13 (B)
bVIIMaj7 characteristic	EMaj7	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 (EMaj7).

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 = F♯7, IIm7 = G♯m7, IIIø = A♯ø, IVMaj7 = BMaj7, Vm7 = C♯m7, VIm7 = D♯m7, bVIIMaj7 = EMaj7.