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