D 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 D, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where D is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | D E F♯ G A B C |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m |
| Step pattern | W W H W W H W |
| Chords in the key | DEmF♯°GAmBmC |
Chords in the D Mixolydian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
D Mixolydian on the piano
Improvisation drone · D
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano D Mixolydian uses one black key (F♯) and six white.
D · E · F♯ · G · A · B · C
Try D Mixolydian on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
D Mixolydian on the guitar
D Mixolydian - fr 0–12
D Mixolydian on the staff
Notes of the D Mixolydian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | E | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | F♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | G | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | A | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | B | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | C | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes D 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 D, D Mixolydian has C where D Major has C♯; every other note is shared with D Major (D E F♯ G A B C♯).
Modes from D Mixolydian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the D Mixolydian scale
The diatonic chords of D Mixolydian are: I = D, ii = Em, iii° = F♯°, IV = G, v = Am, vi = Bm, VII = C. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in D 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 D 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.
Famous songs in D Mixolydian
These well-known tracks all use the D Mixolydian scale.
- 01Sweet Home AlabamaLynyrd Skynyrd
- 02RoyalsLorde
Questions people ask
What notes are in the D Mixolydian scale?
The D Mixolydian scale contains D, E, F♯, G, A, B and C.
What is the formula for the D Mixolydian scale?
D Mixolydian follows a major scale with a flat seventh degree (W-W-H-W-W-H-W).
Is D Mixolydian a major or minor scale?
D Mixolydian is a mixolydian scale. Major scale with a flat seventh - the dominant sound of blues and rock.
What chords belong to the D Mixolydian scale?
The diatonic chords of D Mixolydian are D, Em, F♯°, G, Am, Bm, C.
Which genres use D 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 D Mixolydian scale on the piano?
On the piano D Mixolydian uses one black key (F♯) and six white.
What is the difference between D Mixolydian and D Major?
On D, D Mixolydian has C where D Major has C♯; every other note is shared with D Major (D E F♯ G A B C♯).
How do I practise the D Mixolydian scale?
Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh - instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.