Scale Comparison
Pick two scales and a root note to see exactly which intervals they share and where they diverge.
All 12 notes — from G
Scale A
G Major
R 2 3 4 5 6 7
Bright and happy. The foundation of Western music.
Open on fretboard →Scale B
G Mixolydian
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
| # | Major | Mixolydian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G (R) | G (R) | same |
| 2 | A (2) | A (2) | same |
| 3 | B (3) | B (3) | same |
| 4 | C (4) | C (4) | same |
| 5 | D (5) | D (5) | same |
| 6 | E (6) | E (6) | same |
| 7 | F# (7) | F (b7) | 7 → b7 (1 semitone) |
Major vs Mixolydian: What changes?
Mixolydian is a major scale with a single note lowered, the 7th degree. It is the 5th mode of the major scale.
Mood difference
Major sounds resolved and complete. Mixolydian has a slightly unresolved, bluesy quality. It keeps the brightness of major but refuses to fully settle. It is everywhere in rock, blues, and Celtic music.
Harmonic function
Only the 7th differs: major has a leading tone (major 7th, 11 semitones), Mixolydian has a ♭7 (10 semitones). This eliminates the strong pull toward the root. The VII chord changes from diminished (major) to a major chord (Mixolydian), which is why Mixolydian progressions often feature the ♭VII major chord.