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