The Mixolydian Mode 81 -
The last mode we will examine in these materials will be the Mixolydian mode. The Mixolydian
mode is the fifth mode of the major scale and utilizes all the notes in a major scale starting
from the fifth degree. This mode utilizes scale degrees of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,and b7. It is very
similar to the Ionian mode, or Major scale, except it has a flat 7th degree.
Mixolydian is considered a ”major” mode and works especially well over 7
th
type chords and
when used in bluesy progressions. So try blasting Mixolydian over dominant chords like 7ths,
9ths, and 13ths. You will often find these chords in bluesy and jazzy progressions so
Mixolydian is used often for improvisation in blues and jazz. Mixolydian is also used over
power or 5th chords in a rock type scenario.
For example, if you want to solo over a G7 chord try G Mixolydian. Mixolydian is the 5
th
mode
of the major scale. So as taught in previous modal lessons you want to convert to what major
scale’s 5th note is a G. The answer is C major. If you play a C major scale you will notice that
its fifth note in the scale, or 5
th
, is a G note. So G Mixolydian contains all the same notes as the
C major scale, you are just starting on and emphasizing the G notes.
Note in the below illustration that if we draw out the C major scale its 5
th
note is a G. Then we
draw out G Mixolydian. Notice for both scales there are no sharps or flats, which is consistent
in the key of C major.
Scale degrees 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
C major scale C D E F G A B C D E F G
5 th mode – G Mixolydian G A B C D E F G
Let’s try one more example. There is a D9 chord in a progression we want to solo over using
the D Mixolydian mode. So we have to determine what major scales’s 5th note is a D note. The
answer is G major. The fifth degree of a G major scale is an D. Check the illustration below
and you will see that D Mixolydian mode contains the same notes as the G major scale. Notice
for both scales below there is only one sharp - F# which is consistent in the key of G major. So
to play D Mixolydian just play all your G major scales but start on and emphasize the D notes.
Scale degrees 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
G major scale G A B C D E F# G A B C D
5 th mode – D Mixolydian D E F# G A B C D