Mixolydian mode is a major scale with a flattened 7th degree, giving it a folk-rock character and removing the leading-tone tension

The Mixolydian mode is built by starting the major scale on its 5th degree (or equivalently, taking a major scale and lowering the 7th by a semitone). G Mixolydian = G A B C D E F G. The characteristic feature is the minor 7th (F natural instead of F# in G major), which replaces the leading-tone semitone with a whole tone. This removes the strong pull toward the tonic, giving Mixolydian its open, folk-like, unhurried quality. Mixolydian is extremely common in rock, folk, and Celtic music. Its characteristic chord progression is V-IV-I (using the flat 7th chord as IV). It also appears in blues guitar and many Beatles songs.

Examples

G Mixolydian: G A B C D E F G. Characteristic chords: G, F, Dm. Used in: Norwegian Wood (Beatles), Star Wars main theme, much Celtic folk, blues improvisation.

Assessment

Build E Mixolydian and identify which note differs from E major. Write a 4-bar chord progression using the flat-VII chord to evoke a Mixolydian feel.