Chords in C Mixolydian Mode

BluesyGroovyDominant

Mixolydian is the sound of rock, blues, and funk — a major scale with a flattened 7th that creates dominant harmony. The Beatles’ "Norwegian Wood," AC/DC riffs, and virtually every jam band improv session are Mixolydian. Its diatonic chords center on a dominant I⁷ chord, driving blues-rock progressions.

Transpose to any key, progressions & circle of fifths

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Formula

W-W-H-W-W-H-W

Semitones: 2-2-1-2-2-1-2

Key Signature

1 flat

Explore

Mixolydian Mode in the glossary Key Explorer tool Browse all C chords Chord Flashcards Ear Training Metronome

Characteristic Sound

The flattened 7th is Mixolydian’s signature — it turns the major scale’s leading tone into a bluesy, unresolved dominant sound. This single interval drives rock, blues, and funk vamps and makes the dominant I⁷ chord possible.

Key intervals:♭7

Mode Family

Diatonic Mode Family

The seven diatonic modes — parallel modes starting from the same root with different interval patterns. Each mode has a unique character derived from the major scale.

Notes:

CDEFGABb

Scales with similar note sets — useful for exploring substitutions and modal interchange.

♮7 substitutionMajor Scale (Ionian)♮3 substitutionDorian Mode 5-note subsetMajor Pentatonic Scale 2 notes differentNatural Minor Scale (Aeolian)2 notes differentMelodic Minor Scale

Chromatic Mediant Relationships

Chords a third away from the root — not diatonic to this scale. Common in film scoring and jazz.

m3 ↑

EbEb Ebm

M3 ↓

AbAb Abm

Mixolydian Mode scale FAQ

What chords are in C Mixolydian Mode?

The diatonic chords in C Mixolydian Mode are: C, Dm, Edim, F, Gm, Am, Bb. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.

What is the Mixolydian Mode?

Mixolydian is a major mode with a flattened 7th degree, giving it a bluesy, dominant quality. The most commonly used mode after major and minor — the backbone of rock, blues, funk, and jam band improvisation.

What notes are in the C Mixolydian Mode?

The C Mixolydian Mode contains the notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, Bb. This is a 7-note scale starting from C.

How many chords does the C Mixolydian Mode have?

The C Mixolydian Mode produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: C, Dm, Edim, F, Gm, Am, Bb.

What is the formula for the Mixolydian Mode?

The Mixolydian Mode follows the interval formula: W-W-H-W-W-H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).