Position 5 of 7 · Mixolydian Mode · Key of C

C Mixolydian Mode

Major with flat 7

The C Mixolydian is the 5th mode of the C Major scale. It has a bluesy, rock, funky, dominant, unresolved energy character. On guitar it appears at Position 5 in the fretboard pattern — root note C.

Notes in the C Mixolydian

C · D · E · F · G · A · A#

Step Formula

W = Whole step (2 frets) · H = Half step (1 fret)

W W H W W H W

Intervals

1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7

Sound CharacterBluesy, rock, funky, dominant, unresolved energy

Parent Major ScaleC Major — C Mixolydian shares the same notes as C Major but starts on C

Best Used InBlues, Rock, Funk, Country, Folk

Famous ExamplesSweet Home Alabama, Norwegian Wood, Hey Joe (Hendrix)

Key insight: Mixolydian is major with a ♭7. That flattened note is the entire sound of blues-rock guitar.

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond C Mixolydian

The C Mixolydian is one of 7 diatonic modes in the Dead Sea Scales system. Using the 5 Missing Notes™ framework, each mode generates 7 extended variations — giving you access to all 42 total modes in any key including C.

Same Mode, Every Key

The Mixolydian pattern is identical in every key — the formula never changes. Explore the same mode in other keys:

Hear the C Mixolydian on a live fretboard

Select key C · Mode Mixolydian · Play notes with audio · See all 42 exotic variations

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C Mixolydian Mode

Notes in the C Mixolydian

Step Formula

Intervals

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond C Mixolydian

Same Mode, Every Key

Hear the C Mixolydian on a live fretboard

DEEP DIVES