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