Gb Mixolydian

A major diatonic mode with a minor 7th; an open sound without a leading tone.

Octaves

Musical context

How the mode relates to the scale, chord, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Name
Gb Mixolydian
Family
Diatonic modes
Note count
7
Step formula
W – W – H – W – W – H – W

Notes & degrees

1Gbroot
2Abmajor 2nd
3Bbmajor 3rd
4Cbperfect 4th
5Dbperfect 5th
6Ebmajor 6th
b7Fbminor 7th

Characteristic degrees

VIIFblowered 7th degree

Construction

Overview
A major diatonic mode with a minor 7th; an open sound without a leading tone.
Application in music
Pairs with dominant 7th chords; its lowered 7th is characteristic of blues and rock harmony.
Interval formula
Gb
W
Ab
W
Bb
H
Cb
W
Db
W
Eb
H
Fb
Reference mode
Gb Ionian

Gb Ionian

IGb
IIAb
IIIBb
IVCb
VDb
VIEb
VIIF

Gb Mixolydian

IGb
IIAb
IIIBb
IVCb
VDb
VIEb
VIIFb

How the mode is built

Position in the system
Degree 5 of the parent major scale
Parent scale
Cb major

Sibling modes

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IGbpoint of resttonic
IIIBbdefines modal qualitythird
VDbsupports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IIIBbBb
IVCbCb
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IGbGb
IIAbAb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This mode on guitar 🎸

See how Gb Mixolydian looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmF#major
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Frequently Asked Questions