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