A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale
How to play the A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale
A♭ MixolydianA♭ · B♭ · C · D♭ · E♭ · F · G♭ · A♭
Piano samples: Salamander Grand Piano (CC-BY 3.0)
A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale — notes and structure
The A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale is a major mode with a flattened seventh — bluesy and dominant, the sound of much rock and blues.
The A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale consists of the notes A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭. Its interval structure is R–2–3–4–5–6–♭7 — the intervals from the root that give the scale its sound. This is the same scale you see in the interactive finder above, drawn on the piano keyboard with the root circled and every note labelled.
Its step pattern is whole · whole · half · whole · whole · half · whole — the shape that makes it the mixolydian scale in any key.
Play the 7 notes A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭ in order from the root A♭; the interactive keyboard above lights up every note of the scale.
Chords in the A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale
Stack the scale’s own notes in thirds and you get these seven chords — the harmony available to you without leaving the scale.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale?
- The A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale has the 7 notes A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭. It is a major mode with a flattened seventh — bluesy and dominant, the sound of much rock and blues.
- How many notes are in the A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale?
- 7 notes: A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭, F, G♭.
- What is the mixolydian scale used for?
- The mixolydian scale is a major mode with a flattened seventh — bluesy and dominant, the sound of much rock and blues — hear it and see it on the keyboard above.
- What chords are in the A♭ / G♯ mixolydian scale?
- Stacking the scale's own notes in thirds gives A♭ (I), B♭m (ii), Cdim (iii°), D♭ (IV), E♭m (v), Fm (vi), G♭ (VII).