A Mixolydian at a glance
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 |
| Chords in the key | ABmC♯°DEmF♯mG |
Chords in the A Mixolydian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
A Mixolydian on the piano
Improvisation drone · A
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano A Mixolydian uses two black keys (C♯ and F♯) and five white.
A · B · C♯ · D · E · F♯ · G
Play A Mixolydian on the online piano
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A Mixolydian on the guitar
A Mixolydian - fr 0–12
A Mixolydian on the staff
Notes of the A Mixolydian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | B | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | C♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | D | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | E | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | F♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | G | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes A Mixolydian different
Mixolydian is the major scale with a lowered seventh, and that ♭7 is its only difference from major. Without a leading tone the v chord turns minor and a major chord appears on ♭VII, which gives rock its I, ♭VII, IV sound. Add the ♭7 to the tonic triad and you get a dominant seventh chord, which is why Mixolydian is the scale for dominant chords and for blues-rock. It's the fifth mode of the major scale, so it shares its notes with the major scale a perfect fourth above its root. On A, A Mixolydian has G where A Major has G♯; every other note is shared with A Major (A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯).
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 = Bm, iii° = C♯°, IV = D, v = Em, vi = F♯m, VII = G. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in A Mixolydian. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own 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.
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.
Where you will hear A Mixolydian
Start with the music described above: listen for A Mixolydian in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
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, Bm, C♯°, D, Em, F♯m, 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 you play the A Mixolydian scale on the piano?
On the piano A Mixolydian uses two black keys (C♯ and F♯) and five white.
What is the difference between A Mixolydian and A Major?
On A, A Mixolydian has G where A Major has G♯; every other note is shared with A Major (A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯).
How do I practise the A Mixolydian scale?
Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh - instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.