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 | F♯G♯mA♯°BC♯mD♯mE |
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 five black keys (F♯, G♯, A♯, C♯ and D♯) and two white.
F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯ · D♯ · E
Play F♯ Mixolydian on the online piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
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 = G♯m, iii° = A♯°, IV = B, v = C♯m, vi = D♯m, 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♯, G♯m, A♯°, B, C♯m, D♯m, 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 five black keys (F♯, G♯, A♯, C♯ and D♯) and two 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.