A♭ Mixolydian Scale
The A♭ Mixolydian scale is the 5th mode of the D♭ major scale and has a distinctive major sound characterized by its minor 7th. This combination of a major 3rd with a flat 7th creates a bright yet bluesy quality often heard in rock, blues, country, and modal jazz.
This page covers everything you need to know about the A♭ Mixolydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.
A♭ Mixolydian Scale Notes
The A♭ Mixolydian scale contains the following notes:
A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ – F – G♭These notes come directly from the D♭ major parent scale, starting on its 5th degree (A♭).
A♭ Mixolydian Piano Diagram
This diagram highlights which keys belong to the A♭ Mixolydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.
A♭ Mixolydian Scale Formula and Intervals
The interval formula for the Mixolydian scale is:
W – W – H – W – W – H – WApplied to A♭, this gives us:
- A♭ → B♭
- B♭ → C
- C → D♭
- D♭ → E♭
- E♭ → F
- F → G♭
- G♭ → A♭
Thus, A♭ Mixolydian is built with the following scale degrees:
- Root (A♭)
- Major 2nd (B♭)
- Major 3rd (C)
- Perfect 4th (D♭)
- Perfect 5th (E♭)
- Major 6th (F)
- Minor 7th (G♭)
This structure gives the Mixolydian mode its characteristic sound, due in large part to the unique juxtaposition of the major 3rd with the minor 7th.
Chords in the Key of A♭ Mixolydian
When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the A♭ Mixolydian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:
- A♭ major (I)
- B♭ minor (ii)
- C diminished (iii°)
- D♭ major (IV)
- E♭ minor (v)
- F minor (vi)
- G♭ major (VII)
Related Scales and Modes
If you enjoy playing in A♭ Mixolydian, you may also like:
- A♭ major (A♭ Mixolydian with a major 7th)
- A♭ Dorian (A♭ Mixolydian with a flat 3rd)
- D♭ major (parent scale)
A♭ Mixolydian Scale FAQs
How is A♭ Mixolydian different from A♭ major?
A♭ Mixolydian has a minor 7th (G♭), while A♭ major has a major 7th (G).
How is A♭ Mixolydian different from A♭ Dorian?
A♭ Mixolydian has a major 3rd (C), while A♭ Dorian has a minor 3rd (C♭).
What is the parent scale of A♭ Mixolydian?
D♭ major. A♭ Mixolydian uses the same notes as D♭ major, but starts on its 5th degree (A♭).
Summary: A♭ Mixolydian Scale
- Notes: A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭
- Mode: 5th mode of D♭ major
- Formula: W, W, H, W, W, H, W