The Mixolydian Mode is said to have a mellow and bluesy quality and is
commonly used in jazz, blues, fusion jazz, country and rock music.
This mode is also called:
Hyperdorian scale
Hypophrygian scale
Locrian scale
Pien chih scale
Makam Lami scale
Yishtabach scale
Mixed Lydian mode
Inverted Hypolydian mode
Then Mixolydian Mode is the fifth mode of the first authentic scale of
ancient Greece and was named after the Lydians. Lydia was an ancient country
in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey). The Mixolydian Mode was little used by
the ancient Greeks, and according to famous writings it was deemed unfit for
any kind of music.
The Greek Mixolydian Mode was invented by Sappho a 7th century B.C. poet and
musician. In Sappho's work titled If Not, Winter he attributes the
creation of the Mixolydian Mode to Aristoxenos. Aristoxenos was citing
Plutarch's work On Music when he described the Mixolydian Mode.
Mediaeval European music scholars understood the Greek system of modes
through the Latin works of Boethius. However, his work was misinterpreted,
and the name Mixolydian came to be applied to one of the eight modes of
mediaeval church music (the seventh mode).
The ancient Greek philosopher Plato (427 - 348 B.C.) believed that playing
music in a particular mode would incline one toward specific behavior
associated with that mode. Plato suggested that soldiers should listen to
music in Phrygian or Dorian modes to help make them stronger, but avoid music
in Lydian, Mixed Lydian or Ionian modes, for fear of being softened. Plato
believed that a change in the musical modes of the state would cause a
wide-scale social revolution. He also believed that by changing the mode of
the national anthem of Greece a widespread social revolt would start.
Songs That Use This Scale
Even Flow by Pearl Jam (E mixolydian)
Norwegian Wood by The Beatles (E mixolydian)
She Said She Said by The Beatles
Taxman by The Beatles (D mixolydian)
Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles
Jane Says by Jane's Addiction (A mixolydian)
Europa and the Pirate Twins by Thomas Dolby (A mixolydian)
Change by Tears for Fears (C mixolydian)
New Life by Depeche Mode (D mixolydian)
Clocks by Coldplay (E flat mixolydian)
I Will Follow by U2 (E mixolydian)
Third Stone From the Sun by Jimi Hendrix
Cherub Rock by the Smashing Pumpkins
Hummer by the Smashing Pumpkins
All Blues by Miles Davis (G mixolydian)
I Feel Free by Cream (E mixolydian)
China Cat Sunflower by The Grateful Dead (G mixolydian)
Simple by Phish (F mixolydian)
Limb By Limb by Phish (F mixolydian)
NICU by Phish (Eb mixolydian)
The Extremist by Joe Satriani
Transmission by Joy Division (D mixolydian)
Marquee Moon by Television (D mixolydian)
Hold Me Now by the Thompson Twins (D mixolydian)
The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
I Can't Explain by The Who (E mixolydian)
Glasgow Kiss by John Petrucci
Stream by Tim Reynolds (D mixolydian)
Six Feet Under Theme by Thomas Newman
The Hero's Return by Pink Floyd (D mixolydian)
Louie Louie by Richard Berry, popularized by The Kingsmen (A mixolydian)
She Bangs The Drums by The Stone Roses (E mixolydian)
She Moved Through the Fair (Traditional)
Shine by Collective Soul (D flat mixolydian)
Sister Ray by the Velvet Underground (G mixolydian)
Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones (E mixolydian)
Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses (D flat mixolydian)
Thorn in my Pride by the Black Crowes (B mixolydian)
The Visitors (Crackin' Up) by ABBA (A mixolydian)
Good Love Is On The Way by John Mayer
Journey to the End of East Bay by Rancid
(Lough) Erin Shore by The Corrs (D mixolydian)
Down Rodeo by Rage Against the Machine (F# mixolydian)
Burned us Alive by Eighteen Visions
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