In this article/video, we're going to shed light on the mixolydian modes in all 15 key signatures. We'll use my Balanced Scale Pairs System (see Reference A) to master the scales. We will organize our practice by progressing naturally from the key signature with zero accidentals, and then we'll master 7 key pairs: the 1-accidental key pair through the 7-accidental key pair.
Mastering the mixolydian mode is essential for any improvising musician, as its structure perfectly outlines the dominant 7th chord. Knowing these scales provides the melodic foundation for improvising over standard 12-bar blues progressions, jazz ii-V-I turnarounds, and funk or R&B grooves. By internalizing these modes across all keys, you develop the necessary vocabulary to confidently navigate dominant chords, create compelling musical tension, and transition smoothly through chord changes.
Keywords: mixolydian mode, mixolydian scale, dominant scale, music theory, key signatures, scale notes, sharps and flats, accidentals, practice charts, music reference, saxophone practice, instrumental practice
0 Accidentals
Label
Key
Signature
Scale Notes
00
G mixolydian
0
G - A - B - C - D - E - F - G
1 Accidental
Label
Key
Signature
Scale Notes
01a
D mixolydian
1 Sharp (F#)
D - E - F# - G - A - B - C - D
01b
C mixolydian
1 Flat (Bb)
C - D - E - F - G - A - Bb - C
2 Accidentals
Label
Key
Signature
Scale Notes
02a
A mixolydian
2 Sharps (F#, C#)
A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G - A
02b
F mixolydian
2 Flats (Bb, Eb)
F - G - A - Bb - C - D - Eb - F
3 Accidentals
Label
Key
Signature
Scale Notes
03a
E mixolydian
3 Sharps (F#, C#, G#)
E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D - E
03b
Bb mixolydian
3 Flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)
Bb - C - D - Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb
4 Accidentals
Label
Key
Signature
Scale Notes
04a
B mixolydian
4 Sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)
B - C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A - B
04b
Eb mixolydian
4 Flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)
Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb
5 Accidentals
Label
Key
Signature
Scale Notes
05a
F# mixolydian
5 Sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#)
F# - G# - A# - B - C# - D# - E - F#
05b
Ab mixolydian
5 Flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)
Ab - Bb - C - Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab
6 Accidentals
Label
Key
Signature
Scale Notes
06a
C# mixolydian
6 Sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)
C# - D# - E# - F# - G# - A# - B - C#
06b
Db mixolydian
6 Flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb)
Db - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb - Db
7 Accidentals
Label
Key
Signature
Scale Notes
07a
G# mixolydian
7 Sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#)
G# - A# - B# - C# - D# - E# - F# - G#
07b
Gb mixolydian
7 Flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb)
Gb - Ab - Bb - Cb - Db - Eb - Fb - Gb
References
[A] The Balanced Scale Pairs System (Saxtalk.com). Retrieved September 14, 2026 from here.
[B] Scales That Every Professional Saxophonist Should Master (Saxtalk.com). Retrieved September 14, 2026 from here.
[C] Mixolydian mode (Wikipedia). Retrieved September 14, 2026 from here.
