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♯F𝄪mG𝄪°A♯B♯mC𝄪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 two black keys (A♯ and D♯) and five white. E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, B♯ and C𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G, A, C and D.
E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A♯ · B♯ · C𝄪 · D♯
Try E♯ Mixolydian on the virtual 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 = B♯m, 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.
Where you will hear E♯ Mixolydian
Start with the music described above: listen for E♯ 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 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♯, B♯m, 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 two black keys (A♯ and D♯) and five white. E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, B♯ and C𝄪 are the white keys you'd normally call F, G, A, C and D.
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.