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