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C♭ Mixolydian Scale

The C♭ Mixolydian scale is the 5th mode of the F♭ 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 C♭ Mixolydian scale: notes, intervals, theory, and how to play it on the piano.

C♭ Mixolydian Scale Notes

The C♭ Mixolydian scale contains the following notes:

C♭ – D♭ – E♭ – F♭ – G♭ – A♭ – B♭♭

These notes come directly from the F♭ major parent scale, starting on its 5th degree (C♭).

C♭ Mixolydian Piano Diagram

This diagram highlights which keys belong to the C♭ Mixolydian scale, which is helpful for visualizing whole steps, half steps, and the overall shape of the scale on the keyboard.

C♭ Mixolydian Scale Formula and Intervals

The interval formula for the Mixolydian scale is:

W – W – H – W – W – H – W

Applied to C♭, this gives us:

Thus, C♭ Mixolydian is built with the following scale degrees:

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 C♭ Mixolydian

When stacking thirds on each scale degree of the C♭ Mixolydian scale, the following diatonic triads emerge:

Related Scales and Modes

If you enjoy playing in C♭ Mixolydian, you may also like:

C♭ Mixolydian Scale FAQs

How is C♭ Mixolydian different from C♭ major?

C♭ Mixolydian has a minor 7th (B♭♭), while C♭ major has a major 7th (B♭).

How is C♭ Mixolydian different from C♭ Dorian?

C♭ Mixolydian has a major 3rd (E♭), while C♭ Dorian has a minor 3rd (E♭♭).

What is the parent scale of C♭ Mixolydian?

F♭ major. C♭ Mixolydian uses the same notes as F♭ major, but starts on its 5th degree (C♭).

Summary: C♭ Mixolydian Scale