Mixolydian Mode
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[Modes][Scales][Ionian][Aeolian][Dorian][Phrygian][Lydian][Mixolydian][Locrian][Summary]
The Mixolydian Mode originally ascended from G to G'. This is a common mode for traditional music.
Reference:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1'
Note C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B C

Mixolydian Mode:

  I   II   III   IV   V   VI   VII   VIII
    Tone   Tone   Semitone   Tone   Tone   Semitone   Tone  
Note G   A   B   C   D   E   F   G

This pattern of intervals: T-T-S-T-T-S-T is the characteristic of the Mixolydian mode, and is a Major mode
similar to the Ionian but has a flattened 7th note.

Because the mode is characterised by its interval structure, you can start on any note and progress with the
same intervals to produce a Mixolydian mode in that 'key'. This would be 'D Mixolydian': 

I II III IV V VI VII VIII
Tone Tone Semitone Tone Tone Semitone Tone
Note D E F# G A B C D

If a piece of music seems to be in the key of D, but all C# are played as C naturals, it's probably 'D modal' or D Mixolydian.

© Paul Slater 2001 contact paul@banjolin.supanet.com