The Mixolydian mode

A major with a minor seventh

A Mixolydian: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G. It’s the A major scale with G instead of G#. That minor seventh is its characteristic note: it gives major the rock and blues edge of seventh chords.

An A7 chord contains exactly that G: Mixolydian is the natural scale for seventh chords.

The vamp: A, G

I, ♭VII: A, then G, a whole step lower. The G chord contains G, the seventh of A: it’s what makes the mode heard. You’ll hear it in countless rock songs.

Making it heard

e|-----------------|
B|-----5-8-5-------|
G|-6-7-------6-7---|
D|---------------7-|
A|-----------------|
E|-----------------|

The phrase starts on C# (the major third, G string, 6^th fret), touches G (B string, 8^th fret) and ends on A.

1. The major third, C#, says “major”: play it over the A chord.
2. The seventh, G, says “Mixolydian”: lean on it over the G chord.
3. Mix in the A minor pentatonic, as in the blues: C against C# is an intentional rub.

Dorian or Mixolydian?

Both have F# and G. What sets them apart is the third: C in Dorian, C# in Mixolydian. So, the chord: A minor or A major.

Improvise

You’ve got it when…

• You can explain what sets Mixolydian apart from the major scale
• You play A Mixolydian around the 5th fret, pointing out G and C#
• You improvise for a minute over A, G, making the G heard