B 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 B, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where B is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m |
| Step pattern | W W H W W H W |
| Chords in the key | BC♯mD♯°EF♯mG♯mA |
Chords in the B Mixolydian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
B Mixolydian on the piano
Improvisation drone · B
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano B Mixolydian uses four black keys (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white.
B · C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯ · A
Try B Mixolydian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
B Mixolydian on the guitar
B Mixolydian - fr 0–12
B Mixolydian on the staff
Notes of the B Mixolydian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | C♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | D♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | E | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | F♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | G♯ | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | A | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes B 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 B, B Mixolydian has A where B Major has A♯; every other note is shared with B Major (B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯).
Modes from B Mixolydian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the B Mixolydian scale
The diatonic chords of B Mixolydian are: I = B, ii = C♯m, iii° = D♯°, IV = E, v = F♯m, vi = G♯m, VII = A. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in B 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 B 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 B Mixolydian
Start with the music described above: listen for B 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 B Mixolydian scale?
The B Mixolydian scale contains B, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯ and A.
What is the formula for the B Mixolydian scale?
B Mixolydian follows a major scale with a flat seventh degree (W-W-H-W-W-H-W).
Is B Mixolydian a major or minor scale?
B Mixolydian is a mixolydian scale. Major scale with a flat seventh - the dominant sound of blues and rock.
What chords belong to the B Mixolydian scale?
The diatonic chords of B Mixolydian are B, C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m, G♯m, A.
Which genres use B 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 B Mixolydian scale on the piano?
On the piano B Mixolydian uses four black keys (C♯, D♯, F♯ and G♯) and three white.
What is the difference between B Mixolydian and B Major?
On B, B Mixolydian has A where B Major has A♯; every other note is shared with B Major (B C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A♯).
How do I practise the B Mixolydian scale?
Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh - instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.