Mixolydian mode

The Mixolydian mode is the 5th mode of the major scale.

Its scale degrees are: 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 8
Its intervals are: W W H W W H W
It’s a “major” mode.

Descriptors:

  • Medieval
  • Blues
  • Regal
  • Heroic
  • Noble

Notable chords: bVII , Vm, I7

While a dom7 chord is typically avoided in modes, if you simply hammer out the I7 chord, you can emphasize the Mixolydian sound.

Emphasizing the 9 in the I chord can give an Impressionist sound.

Examples

From video games:

  • Pokemon R/B/Y opening theme

According to ScoreClub:

  • La Cathédrale Engloutie – Claude Debussy
  • Fêtes – Claude Debussy
  • Norwegian Wood – The Beatles
  • Shuffle Riff – 12 bard blues – traditional
  • On Broadway – George Benson
  • Ghostbuster’s Theme (opening riff) – Elmer Bernstein
  • Emperors and Kings – Alain Mayrand

Other: see Wikipedia