F 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 F, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where F is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | F G A B♭ C D E♭ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7m |
| Step pattern | W W H W W H W |
| Chords in the key | FGmA°B♭CmDmE♭ |
Chords in the F Mixolydian scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
F Mixolydian on the piano
Improvisation drone · F
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano F Mixolydian uses two black keys (B♭ and E♭) and five white.
F · G · A · B♭ · C · D · E♭
Try F Mixolydian on the virtual piano
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F Mixolydian on the guitar
F Mixolydian - fr 0–12
F Mixolydian on the staff
Notes of the F Mixolydian scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | G | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | A | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | B♭ | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | C | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | D | major 6th6M | 9 | |
| 7 | E♭ | minor 7th7m | 10 |
What makes F 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 F, F Mixolydian has E♭ where F Major has E; every other note is shared with F Major (F G A B♭ C D E).
Modes from F Mixolydian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the F Mixolydian scale
The diatonic chords of F Mixolydian are: I = F, ii = Gm, iii° = A°, IV = B♭, v = Cm, vi = Dm, VII = E♭. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in F 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 F 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 F Mixolydian
Start with the music described above: listen for F 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 F Mixolydian scale?
The F Mixolydian scale contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D and E♭.
What is the formula for the F Mixolydian scale?
F Mixolydian follows a major scale with a flat seventh degree (W-W-H-W-W-H-W).
Is F Mixolydian a major or minor scale?
F Mixolydian is a mixolydian scale. Major scale with a flat seventh - the dominant sound of blues and rock.
What chords belong to the F Mixolydian scale?
The diatonic chords of F Mixolydian are F, Gm, A°, B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭.
Which genres use F 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 F Mixolydian scale on the piano?
On the piano F Mixolydian uses two black keys (B♭ and E♭) and five white.
What is the difference between F Mixolydian and F Major?
On F, F Mixolydian has E♭ where F Major has E; every other note is shared with F Major (F G A B♭ C D E).
How do I practise the F Mixolydian scale?
Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh - instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.