C Mixolydian Mode
Notes in the C Mixolydian Mode
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 6 | Submediant | A | 440.000 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | A# | 466.164 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 3 | Half Step (H) | 1 | E | F |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | A | A# |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A# | C |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | C | major |
| 2 | D | D minor | minor |
| 3 | E | E diminished | diminished |
| 4 | F | F | major |
| 5 | G | G minor | minor |
| 6 | A | A minor | minor |
| ♭7 | A# | A# | major |
Key Signature
No sharps or flats — C Mixolydian Mode uses the same key signature as C major.
C Mixolydian Mode in Practice
The C Mixolydian Mode uses the key signature of no sharps or flats. C major is the simplest key signature with no sharps or flats. It is the starting point for music theory and the most widely studied key in Western music. On guitar, C positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: C Mixolydian Mode Positions
The C key offers open-string resonance (no sharps or flats) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like C are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.
Piano: C Mixolydian Mode
C major is the foundational key for piano study — all white keys, no black keys in the major scale. Every piano method book begins here. The Mixolydian Mode in C remains the most-studied scale pattern for establishing keyboard geography and finger positioning.