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