D Mixolydian Scale
The D Mixolydian scale contains 7 notes: D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C.
D Mixolydian scale on the piano
Key facts
- Scale type
- Mixolydian
- Number of notes
- 7
- Formula
- W–W–H–W–W–H–W
- Parent scale
- G Major (degree 5)
What is the Mixolydian scale?
Mixolydian is the fifth mode of the major scale — a major scale with a lowered seventh. It is the sound of a dominant seventh chord spelled out as a scale, and the default choice over blues, rock and funk vamps.
D Mixolydian uses the same notes as G Major, started from degree 5 instead of the first. The notes are shared; the tonic, and therefore the sound, is not.
D Mixolydian is a scale, not a key. It has no key signature of its own — music that uses it is normally written in the key signature of its parent scale, with any extra accidentals added as they occur.
Scale degrees of D Mixolydian
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | P1 | 0 |
| 2 | E | M2 | 2 |
| 3 | F♯ | M3 | 4 |
| 4 | G | P4 | 5 |
| 5 | A | P5 | 7 |
| 6 | B | M6 | 9 |
| 7 | C | m7 | 10 |
Chords in D Mixolydian
These are the triads built on each degree of D Mixolydian using only notes from the scale.
Other scales on D
Every scale type that starts on D, for comparison.
Mixolydian in every key
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D Mixolydian scale?
The D Mixolydian scale has 7 notes: D, E, F♯, G, A, B, C.
What is the formula for the D Mixolydian scale?
The D Mixolydian scale follows the step pattern W–W–H–W–W–H–W, where H is a half step and W is a whole step.
What scale is D Mixolydian derived from?
D Mixolydian is the mode of G Major that starts on its 5 degree. Both scales use the same notes but resolve to a different tonic.
What chords are in the D Mixolydian scale?
The triads built from the D Mixolydian scale are D, Em, F♯dim, G, Am, Bm, C.
