Gb 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
Gb 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

1Gbroot
2Abmajor 2nd
3Bbmajor 3rd
4Cbperfect 4th
5Dbperfect 5th
b6Dminor 6th
b7Fbminor 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
Gb
W
Ab
W
Bb
H
Cb
W
Db
H
D
W
Fb

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 scale on guitar 🎸

See how Gb Mixolydian ♭6 looks on guitar.

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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