C Mixolydian Scale

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Summary

C Mixolydian contains 7 notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B♭. It has 1 flat: B♭. The step pattern is W–W–H–W–W–H–W. It is the 5th mode of F Major, meaning it shares the same notes but starts on C.

A major scale with a bluesy, rock-and-roll edge. The flat 7th gives it a driving, unresolved quality — it sounds happy but with some grit. This is the sound of classic rock, southern boogie, and blues jams over dominant 7th chords.

Theory

The formula is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7. It's major with a flat 7th — the combination of a major 3rd and a b7 is exactly the framework of a dominant 7th chord. Built from the 5th degree of the major scale. That b7 is what prevents it from sounding fully 'resolved' like regular major, giving it a constant forward momentum.

On the guitar

Derived from the 5th degree of the major scale, so the shapes are the same ones you already know. It's the go-to scale for playing over dominant 7th chords, making it the absolute backbone of classic rock and blues progressions. Any time you hear a guitarist soloing with major-sounding phrases over a bluesy groove, that's Mixolydian.

Advanced

Mixolydian is the bridge between major and blues. You can mix it freely with the minor pentatonic over dominant 7th chords — the contrast between Mixolydian's major 3rd and the minor pentatonic's b3 is the essence of blues-rock guitar. AC/DC, The Allman Brothers, and The Grateful Dead all live in this territory.

Step pattern W – W – H – W – W – H – W