Scale Comparison
Pick two scales and a root note to see exactly which intervals they share and where they diverge.
vs
Quick:
All 12 notes — from A
AR
A#b2
B2
Cb3
C#3
D4
D#b5
E5
Fb6
F#6
Gb7
G#7
Dorian only (1)Mixolydian only (1)Shared (6)
Scale A
A Dorian
ABCDEF#G
R 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Minor with a raised 6th. Used in jazz, funk, and rock.
Open on fretboard →Scale B
A Mixolydian
ABC#DEF#G
R 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Major with a b7. Common in rock, blues, and Celtic music.
Open on fretboard →Degree-by-degree comparison
| # | Dorian | Mixolydian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A (R) | A (R) | same |
| 2 | B (2) | B (2) | same |
| 3 | C (b3) | C# (3) | b3 → 3 (1 semitone) |
| 4 | D (4) | D (4) | same |
| 5 | E (5) | E (5) | same |
| 6 | F# (6) | F# (6) | same |
| 7 | G (b7) | G (b7) | same |
Dorian vs Mixolydian: What changes?
Dorian and Mixolydian are nearly identical — just one interval differs: b3 in Dorian vs 3 in Mixolydian. That single semitone shift accounts for the entire difference in mood between the two scales.