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