C Mixolydian Mode

The C Mixolydian Mode has a Major quality due to its Major Third E. The Mixolydian Mode, like C Mixolydian, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, G in the case of the Mixolydian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as C Mixolydian Mode in this example. C Mixolydian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, C, D, E, F, G, A, B. The C Mixolydian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules.

Below you will find the C Mixolydian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the C Mixolydian Mode on your preferred instrument.

Theoretical Only

The C Mixolydian Mode is considered theoretical only as it has double sharps or flats in the key signature.

The usual alternative is the enharmonic equivalent B Mixolydian Mode

Notes Ascending

C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Notes Descending

C, B, A, G, F, E, D, C

Pattern Ascending

T, T, S, T, T, S, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

T, S, T, T, S, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
C1Tonic
D2Supertonic
E3Mediant
F4Subdominant
G5Dominant
A6Submediant
B7Subtonic
C8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
C8Tonic (Octave)
B7Subtonic
A6Submediant
G5Dominant
F4Subdominant
E3Mediant
D2Supertonic
C1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > D2Major 2nd (M2)
C > E4Major 3rd (M3)
C > F5Perfect 4th (P4)
C > G7Perfect 5th (P5)
C > A9Major 6th (M6)
C > B10minor 7th (m7)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > B2Major 2nd (M2)
C > A3minor 3rd (m3)
C > G5Perfect 4th (P4)
C > F7Perfect 5th (P5)
C > E8minor 6th (m6)
C > D10minor 7th (m7)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)

Modes related to C Mixolydian Mode

Enharmonic Equivalent Mode

Scale with the same root and notes as the C Mixolydian Mode but different spelling.

B Mixolydian Mode

Chords related to C Mixolydian Mode

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the C Mixolydian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

I Chord - C Major

ii Chord - D Minor

iiio Chord - E Diminished

IV Chord - F Major

v Chord - G Minor

vi Chord - A Minor

VII Chord - A Major

Learn to Play C Mixolydian Mode

Instrument View

See C Mixolydian Mode on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

Learn more about Music Theory

More to learn