A♭ Mixolydian Scale (Ab)
The Ab Mixolydian scale contains Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb – F – Gb. It uses 5 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb. It uses the same piano keys as G# Mixolydian, spelled G# – A# – B# – C# – D# – E# – F# (7 sharps).
Ab Mixolydian scale chart
Sharps and flats
Ab Mixolydian has 5 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb. Its parent major scale is Db major, which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of C# major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from Ab |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ab | 0 |
| 2 | Bb | 2 |
| 3 | C | 4 |
| 4 | Db | 5 |
| 5 | Eb | 7 |
| 6 | F | 9 |
| b7 | Gb | 10 |
Step pattern
The Mixolydian scale is built from the pattern W – W – H – W – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step). Apply that pattern from any starting note and you get the same mode in a different key.
Chords in Ab Mixolydian
Building a triad on each degree of the scale gives you the chords that belong to it. These are the chords to reach for when writing in Ab Mixolydian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | Ab | Ab C Eb |
| 2 | ii | Bbm | Bb Db F |
| 3 | iii° | Cdim | C Eb Gb |
| 4 | IV | Db | Db F Ab |
| 5 | v | Ebm | Eb Gb Bb |
| 6 | vi | Fm | F Ab C |
| 7 | VII | Gb | Gb Bb Db |
Other modes on Ab
More scales on Ab
Mixolydian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Ab Mixolydian scale?
The Ab Mixolydian scale contains Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, then returns to Ab an octave higher.
How many flats are in Ab Mixolydian?
Ab Mixolydian has 5 flats: Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb.
What is the step pattern of the Mixolydian scale?
The Mixolydian scale follows the whole/half step pattern W – W – H – W – W – H – W, where W is a whole step (two semitones) and H is a half step (one semitone).
Which chords work with the Ab Mixolydian scale?
The diatonic chords are Ab, Bbm, Cdim, Db, Ebm, Fm, Gb. Each is built only from notes of the Ab Mixolydian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.