Bb Mixolydian Mode
Notes in the Bb Mixolydian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 6 | Submediant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Bb | C |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 3 | Half Step (H) | 1 | D | Eb |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Eb | F |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | G | Ab |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Ab | Bb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Bb | major |
| 2 | C | C minor | minor |
| 3 | D | D diminished | diminished |
| 4 | Eb | Eb | major |
| 5 | F | F minor | minor |
| 6 | G | G minor | minor |
| ♭7 | Ab | Ab | major |
Key Signature
2 ♭ — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.
Bb Mixolydian Mode in Practice
The Bb Mixolydian Mode uses the key signature of 2 flats (Bb, Eb). Bb major has two flats (Bb, Eb) and is extremely common in jazz and wind ensemble music. It is the home key for Bb instruments such as the trumpet and tenor saxophone. On guitar, Bb positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys for this scale.
The Mixolydian mode is like a major scale with a flat 7th, giving it a bluesy, rock quality. It appears in rock, blues, folk, and Celtic music and is essential for dominant chord improvisation.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bb | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Bb Mixolydian Mode
Bb is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce Bb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Bb sound a major sixth lower.