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Modes

Mixolydian Scale

The 5th mode of the major scale. Like major but with a flat 7th — giving it a bluesy, rock character.

bluesyrockrootsyopen

Hear the Mixolydian Scale

How to Identify It

Sounds like major but with a slight bluesy tension — the flat 7th removes the leading tone, making it feel more open and rootsy. Think of classic rock riffs.

Famous Examples

  • Norwegian Wood — Beatles
  • Sweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd
  • Gloria — Van Morrison
  • Sympathy for the Devil — Rolling Stones
Test your earThe recognition trainer plays random scales — identify them with instant feedback.
Open Trainer →

Mixolydian in All 12 Keys

CC#D♭DD#E♭EFF#G♭GG#A♭AA#B♭B

Often Confused With

MajorDiatonicThe brightest, most stable scale in Western music. The found…Natural MinorDiatonicThe darker counterpart to the major scale. Melancholic, intr…DorianModesThe 2nd mode of the major scale. Minor-sounding but with a r…PhrygianModesThe 3rd mode of the major scale. Starts with a half step, gi…

About the Mixolydian Scale

The mixolydian scale is a modes scale built from the interval pattern 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2 (in whole and half steps). The 5th mode of the major scale. Like major but with a flat 7th — giving it a bluesy, rock character.

To recognise the mixolydian scale reliably by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — bluesy, rock, rootsy, open. Use the player above to hear it in all 12 keys, and the recognition trainer to test yourself against a mixed set of scales.