A♭ mixolydian (A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭) has five flats in its key signature and its flattened 7th (G♭) creates a warm, bluesy dominant quality over A♭7 chords. It appears in jazz, R&B, and gospel over dominant chord progressions. A♭ mixolydian sits well on piano and horn sections for soulful, bluesy comping.
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.
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.
The diatonic chords in Ab Mixolydian are: Ab, Bbm, Cdim, Db, Ebm, Fm, Gb. These are the chords built naturally from each degree of the scale.
What is the Mixolydian?
A♭ mixolydian (A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭) has five flats in its key signature and its flattened 7th (G♭) creates a warm, bluesy dominant quality over A♭7 chords. It appears in jazz, R&B, and gospel over dominant chord progressions. A♭ mixolydian sits well on piano and horn sections for soulful, bluesy comping.
What notes are in the Ab Mixolydian?
The Ab Mixolydian contains the notes: Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb. This is a 7-note scale starting from Ab.
How many chords does the Ab Mixolydian have?
The Ab Mixolydian produces 7 diatonic chords, one built on each degree of the scale: Ab, Bbm, Cdim, Db, Ebm, Fm, Gb.
What is the formula for the Mixolydian?
The Mixolydian follows the interval formula: W-W-H-W-W-H-W (W = whole step, H = half step).
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Position in circle of fifths
Ab is at the 8 o'clock position. Related keys: Eb (dominant), C# (subdominant), F (relative minor), Bb (supertonic), F# (subtonic).