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Introduction to the modes

Mode Study Pages
Ionian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolian
Locrian

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The Mixolydian Mode
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Play-along files on this page:
Let it Rain (Clapton)

Fire on the Mountain (Grateful Dead)

The mixolydian mode is built from the fifth degree of a major scale.
It works well over major chords and dominant 7 chords.

Example:
C major scale: C D E F G A B C
G mixolydian mode: G A B C D E F G

G major scale (for comparison to G mixolydian):
G A B C D E F# G

What's in it:

The mixolydian mode is just like the major scale, except that it has a b7 (F instead of F#, in the case of G mixolydian compared to G major).

Listen to the G mixolydian mode
Listen to a G major scale (ionian)

When to use it:

  • Over dominant 7 chords (like A7 or C7)
  • When the chord progression goes from I major to bVII major (for example, A to G or E to D or C to Bb).
  • Almost any time a chord progression is in a major key, but also contains a major chord a whole step down, on the bVII degree (for example, a G chord in a song that's in the key of A).

Hear it and play it!

Let it Rain
By Eric Clapton

Listen to it
(MP3 audio clip)

Play along with it
(midi play-along file)

Initial chord progression for solo section:
A / G / Gmaj7 / A

A mixolydian mode

Enharmonic modes
D ionian,

F# phrygian,

G lydian,

A mixolydian,

B aeolian,

C# locrian

(click mode names above to view fingerings in window to right)

Fire on the Mountain
by the Grateful Dead

Listen to it
(MP3 audio clip)

Play along with it
(midi play-along file)

(sorry this one sounds so cheesy!)

Chord progression:
B / B / A / A

B mixolydian mode

Enharmonic modes:
C# aeolian
D# locrian
E ionian
F# dorian
G# phrygian
A lydian