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 | EF♯mG♯°ABmC♯mD |
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 three black keys (F♯, G♯ and C♯) and four white.
E · F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C♯ · D
Play E Mixolydian on the online piano
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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 = F♯m, iii° = G♯°, IV = A, v = Bm, vi = C♯m, 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.
- 01Norwegian WoodThe Beatles
- 02Back in BlackAC/DC · riff
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, F♯m, G♯°, A, Bm, C♯m, 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 three black keys (F♯, G♯ and C♯) and four 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.