A# Mixolydian ♭6

The 5th mode of melodic minor, with lowered 6th and minor 7th degrees; its dominant sound points toward a minor tonic.

Octaves

Musical context

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

Theory

General info

Name
A# Mixolydian ♭6
Family
Melodic scales
Note count
7
Step formula
W – W – H – W – H – W – W
Numeric formula
0-2-2-1-2-1-2-2

Notes & degrees

1A#root
2B#major 2nd
3Dmajor 3rd
4D#perfect 4th
5E#perfect 5th
b6F#minor 6th
b7G#minor 7th

Construction

Overview
The 5th mode of melodic minor, with lowered 6th and minor 7th degrees; its dominant sound points toward a minor tonic.
Application in music
The fifth degree of melodic minor. Sits over V7 resolving to minor.
Interval formula
A#
W
B#
W
D
H
D#
W
E#
H
F#
W
G#

Chords by degree

Tensions & resolutions

Stable degrees

IA#point of resttonic
IIIDdefines modal qualitythird
VE#supports the tonic sonorityfifth

Typical resolutions & tensions

IIIDD
IVD#D#
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IA#A#
IIB#B#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.

This scale on guitar 🎸

See how A# Mixolydian ♭6 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#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmBbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
2 flats (Bb, Eb)

Connections

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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

Open Trainer

Frequently Asked Questions