C# Mixolydian
Piano scale diagramBeginner
C# Mixolydian Scale — Notes and Intervals
The C# Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of the major scale and the heart of rock and roll and blues. On Piano, it contains the notes C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B. It combines the stability of a major sound with a more relaxed, folk-like ending, perfectly suited for soloing over dominant seventh chords and providing a bluesy, soulful vibe to major-key songs. The diatonic chords of C# Mixolydian are C#7, D#m7, Fm7b5, F#Maj7, G#m7, A#m7, BMaj7. Commonly used in Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Funk. Notable players include Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 9, 13). The primary scale for blues-rock soloing over non-resolving dominant chords.
Notes: C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4P, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Formula: W-W-H-W-W-H-W
Number of notes: 7
Also known as: dominant
Diatonic Chords
C#7 — D#m7 — Fm7♭5 — F#Maj7 — G#m7 — A#m7 — BMaj7
Musical Character
The b7 softens the major scale's resolution, creating a 'relaxed major' that never quite lands. This is the sound of rock and roll — major but with attitude.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Funk
Notable players: Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, AC/DC, Stevie Ray Vaughan
How to Use the C# Mixolydian Scale
Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 9, 13). The primary scale for blues-rock soloing over non-resolving dominant chords.
Origin & Background
Named after the ancient Mixolydians. The mode behind virtually all classic rock and blues guitar.
Related Scales
Mixolydian is the 5th mode of the Major scale. View C# Major scale
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- bVI – bVII – I (Mario Cadence)World / Game Music — Triumph & Victory
- I – I – I – I – IV – IV – I – I – V – IV – I – V (12 Bar Blues)Blues — Grit & Soul
- I – bVI – bIII – bVII (Epic Borrowed Chords)Contemporary / Film — Epic & Heroic
- I – ♭VII – IV (Classic Rock Loop)Pop / Rock — Energy & Drive
- I – VI7 – II7 – V (Ragtime Cycle)Jazz / Soul — Playful & Vintage
- ♭VII – IV – I (Gospel Walk-Up)Blues — Spiritual & Uplifting
The C# Mixolydian scale contains 7 notes (C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B). Use the interactive piano diagram above to explore this scale on Piano.