Position 5 of 7 · Mixolydian Mode · Key of D

D Mixolydian Mode

Major with flat 7

The D Mixolydian is the 5th mode of the D 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 D.

Notes in the D Mixolydian

D · E · F# · G · A · B · C

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 ScaleD Major — D Mixolydian shares the same notes as D Major but starts on D

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 D Mixolydian

The D 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 D.

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 D Mixolydian on a live fretboard

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

Open Free Interactive Tool →

D Mixolydian Mode

Notes in the D Mixolydian

Step Formula

Intervals

The 5 Missing Notes™ — Beyond D Mixolydian

Same Mode, Every Key

Hear the D Mixolydian on a live fretboard

DEEP DIVES