E♯ Mixolydian scale

The E♯ Mixolydian scale is a 7-note mixolydian scale built on the root E♯. Its notes are E♯, F𝄪, G𝄪, A♯, B♯, C𝄪 and D♯. Major scale with a flat seventh - the dominant sound of blues and rock. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make E♯ Mixolydian a great tool for improvising and composing.

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.

Formula & step pattern

Formula
1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m
Step pattern
W - W - H - W - W - H - W

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.

E♯ Mixolydian on the piano

Show:
Piano keyboard highlighting the E♯ Mixolydian scale notesB♯C𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪B♯C𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪D♯A♯D♯A♯E♯ Mixolydian - E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A♯ · B♯ · C𝄪 · D♯

E♯ Mixolydian on the guitar

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Position:
Guitar fretboard highlighting the E♯ Mixolydian scale noteseBGDAEE♯F𝄪G𝄪A♯B♯C𝄪D♯B♯C𝄪D♯E♯F𝄪G𝄪A♯F𝄪G𝄪A♯B♯C𝄪D♯E♯F𝄪C𝄪D♯E♯F𝄪G𝄪A♯B♯C𝄪G𝄪A♯B♯C𝄪D♯E♯F𝄪G𝄪E♯F𝄪G𝄪A♯B♯C𝄪D♯E♯ Mixolydian - fr 012

E♯ Mixolydian on the staff

Hear the E♯ Mixolydian scale

E♯ Mixolydian
E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A♯ · B♯ · C𝄪 · D♯
E♯F𝄪G𝄪A♯B♯C𝄪D♯

Improvisation drone

Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.

E♯ Mixolydian
E♯

Notes of the E♯ Mixolydian scale

Notes: E♯ · F𝄪 · G𝄪 · A♯ · B♯ · C𝄪 · D♯Step pattern: W - W - H - W - W - H - W
DegreeIntervalSemitonesNote
11P0E♯(E#)
22M2F𝄪(F##)
33M4G𝄪(G##)
44P5A♯(A#)
55P7B♯(B#)
66M9C𝄪(C##)
77m10D♯(D#)

Diatonic chords of E♯ Mixolydian

These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.

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. Click any chord below to open its full 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.

Famous songs

E♯ Mixolydian appears throughout 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. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.

Once you are comfortable with E♯ Mixolydian, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with E♯ Mixolydian and are a natural next step in your study.

Frequently asked questions

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 I practise the E♯ Mixolydian scale?
Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh - instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.

Take E♯ Mixolydian into your music

Build progressions, find chord voicings and improvise with confidence using our music tools.