A♭ Mixolydian scale
The A♭ Mixolydian scale is a 7-note mixolydian scale built on the root A♭. Its notes are A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F and G♭. Major scale with a flat seventh - the dominant sound of blues and rock. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make A♭ Mixolydian a great tool for improvising and composing.
Mixolydian is all over blues-rock, country, Celtic music and a huge chunk of classic rock. That flat seventh gives it a dominant, swaggering character. Built on the root A♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- A♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭ · F · G♭
- Formula
- 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m
- Step pattern
- W W H W W H W
- Tonic
- A♭
A♭ Mixolydian on the piano
A♭ Mixolydian on the guitar
A♭ Mixolydian on the staff
Hear the A♭ Mixolydian scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the A♭ Mixolydian scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | A♭(Ab) | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | B♭(Bb) | |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | C | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | D♭(Db) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | E♭(Eb) | |
| 6 | 6M | 9 | F | |
| 7 | 7m | 10 | G♭(Gb) |
Diatonic chords of A♭ Mixolydian
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
Modes from A♭ Mixolydian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the A♭ Mixolydian scale
The diatonic chords of A♭ Mixolydian are: I = A♭, ii = B♭m, iii° = C°, IV = D♭, v = E♭m, vi = Fm, VII = G♭. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A♭ Mixolydian. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
Mixolydian is all over blues-rock, country, Celtic music and a huge chunk of classic rock. That flat seventh gives it a dominant, swaggering character.
Practice tips
Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh - instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.
Famous songs
A♭ Mixolydian appears throughout mixolydian is all over blues-rock, country, celtic music and a huge chunk of classic rock. that flat seventh gives it a dominant, swaggering character. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The A♭ Mixolydian scale follows a major scale with a flat seventh degree (W-W-H-W-W-H-W). Step pattern: W - W - H - W - W - H - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the A♭ Mixolydian scale?
- The A♭ Mixolydian scale contains A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F and G♭.
- What is the formula for the A♭ Mixolydian scale?
- A♭ Mixolydian follows a major scale with a flat seventh degree (W-W-H-W-W-H-W).
- Is A♭ Mixolydian a major or minor scale?
- A♭ Mixolydian is a mixolydian scale. Major scale with a flat seventh - the dominant sound of blues and rock.
- What chords belong to the A♭ Mixolydian scale?
- The diatonic chords of A♭ Mixolydian are A♭, B♭m, C°, D♭, E♭m, Fm, G♭.
- Which genres use A♭ Mixolydian?
- Mixolydian is all over blues-rock, country, Celtic music and a huge chunk of classic rock. That flat seventh gives it a dominant, swaggering character.
- How do I practise the A♭ Mixolydian scale?
- Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh - instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.