A Mixolydian Scale
The A Mixolydian scale contains A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G. It uses 2 sharps: F# and C#.
A Mixolydian scale chart
Sharps and flats
A Mixolydian has 2 sharps: F# and C#. Its parent major scale is D major, which uses the same notes. See the chords in the key of D major.
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Semitones from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 0 |
| 2 | B | 2 |
| 3 | C# | 4 |
| 4 | D | 5 |
| 5 | E | 7 |
| 6 | F# | 9 |
| b7 | G | 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 A 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 A Mixolydian.
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | A | A C# E |
| 2 | ii | Bm | B D F# |
| 3 | iii° | C#dim | C# E G |
| 4 | IV | D | D F# A |
| 5 | v | Em | E G B |
| 6 | vi | F#m | F# A C# |
| 7 | VII | G | G B D |
Other modes on A
More scales on A
Mixolydian scale in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A Mixolydian scale?
The A Mixolydian scale contains A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G, then returns to A an octave higher.
How many sharps are in A Mixolydian?
A Mixolydian has 2 sharps: F# and C#.
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 A Mixolydian scale?
The diatonic chords are A, Bm, C#dim, D, Em, F#m, G. Each is built only from notes of the A Mixolydian scale, so they all belong to the same tonality — though the diminished chord carries a tritone and normally wants to resolve.