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