D Mixolydian Mode
D–E–F#–G–A–B–C
D Mixolydian is the 5th mode of the G major scale: D–E–F#–G–A–B–C. Its character: bluesy, rocking, and unresolved — major with a laid-back edge.
The flat 7th is the one note that separates Mixolydian from major. It creates a dominant 7th chord off the root and gives the scale a bluesy, unresolved quality — sounds major but wants to move. On guitar, target the flat 7th (C) in your phrases — landing on it against the root is what makes a line sound Mixolydian instead of plain major.
Because every mode of G major shares the same seven notes, any G major fretboard shape works for D Mixolydian — what changes is the note you resolve to. Loop a D vamp or a backing track that stays on D, keep resolving your phrases to D, and the Mixolydian color comes through. You'll hear this sound in rock, blues, funk and country.
D Mixolydian is mode 5 of G Major — same seven notes, resolved to D instead.
D Mixolydian on the Fretboard
Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Every dot is a note in the mode — blue dots are the root (D).
Notes and Intervals
| Interval | R | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | D | E | F# | G | A | B | C |
The highlighted C is the flat 7th — the note that gives Mixolydian its sound.
Mixolydian vs. Major
Everything else about the two scales is identical — these are the only degrees that change.
| D major | D Mixolydian | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | ♭7 | C |
Chords in D Mixolydian
The seven chords of G Major, reordered to start from D — vamping between the first two or three keeps the Mixolydian sound from collapsing back into the parent key.
Songs That Use the Mixolydian Sound
The Beatles — “Norwegian Wood”
In E Mixolydian. The sitar-influenced melody uses the D natural (flat 7th) throughout, giving the song its distinctively modal, folk-rock quality.
Grateful Dead — “Fire on the Mountain”
In B Mixolydian. The repeating two-chord vamp (B to A) defines Mixolydian harmony — the flat 7th chord (A) under a B root. Jerry Garcia's solos stay in B Mixolydian throughout.
AC/DC — “Highway to Hell”
In A Mixolydian. The progression (A–D/F#–G–D/F#–A) uses the G chord (flat 7th) which is the Mixolydian signature. Angus Young mixes A major pentatonic with the flat 7th in his solos.
Lynyrd Skynyrd — “Sweet Home Alabama”
Also operates in D Mixolydian over the D–C–G progression. The C chord (flat 7th of D) is the Mixolydian marker. The interplay between major pentatonic and Mixolydian is what gives southern rock its sound.
D Mixolydian Mode FAQ
What is the D Mixolydian mode?
D Mixolydian is the 5th mode of the G major scale — the same seven notes starting from D: D–E–F#–G–A–B–C. The interval formula is R–2–3–4–5–6–♭7.
What is the difference between D Mixolydian and D major?
One note: where D major has 7, D Mixolydian has ♭7 (C). That single half-step is the entire difference in sound — everything else about the two scales is identical.
What chords work with D Mixolydian?
The seven chords of the parent G major scale, reordered to start from D: D (I), Em (ii), F#° (iii°), G (IV), Am (v), Bm (vi), C (♭VII). A two-chord vamp between D and C is the classic way to establish the Mixolydian sound without drifting back to the parent key.
What major scale has the same notes as D Mixolydian?
G major. D Mixolydian uses exactly the notes of G major starting from its 5th degree, so every G major shape on the fretboard doubles as a D Mixolydian shape. The same notes also spell G Ionian, A Dorian, B Phrygian, C Lydian, E Aeolian, and F# Locrian.
How do I practice the D Mixolydian mode?
Modes live and die by harmonic context — run over a static D vamp or a drone on D, not a full progression that pulls back to the parent key. Play the G major shapes you already know, resolve every phrase to D, and lean on the flat 7th (C). OpenFret's free Studio has a fretboard viewer and metronome for exactly this, and Guitar Quest turns scale practice into a game with real-time pitch detection.
Modes Sharing These Notes
All seven modes of G Major use the same seven notes — each one treats a different note as home.
Related Modes
Practice D Mixolydian with real feedback
Guitar Quest listens to your real guitar and turns scale practice into a game — run modes to battle monsters, with every note checked by pitch detection. Free in your browser, no signup needed.