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
