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