F Mixolydian scale

The F Mixolydian scale is a 7-note mixolydian scale built on the root F. Its notes are F, G, A, B♭, C, D and E♭. 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 F Mixolydian a powerful tool for improvising and composing.

Mixolydian is the sound of blues-rock, country, Celtic music and a huge slice of classic rock. The flat seventh adds 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.

Formula & step pattern

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

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.

F Mixolydian on the piano

Piano keyboard highlighting the F Mixolydian scale notesCDFGACDFGAE♭B♭E♭B♭F MixolydianF · G · A · B♭ · C · D · E♭

F Mixolydian on the guitar

Guitar fretboard highlighting the F Mixolydian scale notesEBGDAEFGAB♭CDE♭CDE♭FGAB♭GAB♭CDE♭FGDE♭FGAB♭CDAB♭CDE♭FGAFGAB♭CDE♭F Mixolydianfr 0–12

F Mixolydian on the staff

Hear the F Mixolydian scale

F Mixolydian
F · G · A · B♭ · C · D · E♭
FGAB♭CDE♭

Notes of the F Mixolydian scale

Notes: F · G · A · B♭ · C · D · E♭Step pattern: W - W - H - W - W - H - W
DegreeIntervalSemitonesNote
11P0F
22M2G
33M4A
44P5B♭(Bb)
55P7C
66M9D
77m10E♭(Eb)

Diatonic chords of F Mixolydian

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

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. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.

Mixolydian is the sound of blues-rock, country, Celtic music and a huge slice of classic rock. The flat seventh adds a dominant, swaggering character.

Practice tips

Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh of mixolydian — the result instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.

Famous songs in this key

F Mixolydian appears throughout mixolydian is the sound of blues-rock, country, celtic music and a huge slice of classic rock. the flat seventh adds 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 F Mixolydian, explore related scales to expand your vocabulary. The scales below share notes, modes or tonal centres with F Mixolydian and are a natural next step in your study.

Frequently asked questions

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 the sound of blues-rock, country, Celtic music and a huge slice of classic rock. The flat seventh adds a dominant, swaggering character.
How do I practise the F Mixolydian scale?
Improvise over a major chord using the flat seventh of mixolydian — the result instantly sounds bluesy or country-flavoured.

Take F Mixolydian into your music

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