Dorian vs Mixolydian
The C dorian and the C mixolydian share 6 notes — C, D, F, G, A, Bb. From there, the C dorian adds Eb, while the C mixolydian adds E.
Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: C3 (root of C Dorian and root of C Mixolydian), D3 (2 of C Dorian and 2 of C Mixolydian), Eb3 (flat 3), E3 (3), F3 (4 of C Dorian and 4 of C Mixolydian), G3 (5 of C Dorian and 5 of C Mixolydian), A3 (6 of C Dorian and 6 of C Mixolydian), Bb3 (flat 7 of C Dorian and flat 7 of C Mixolydian), C4 (root of C Dorian and root of C Mixolydian), D4 (2 of C Dorian and 2 of C Mixolydian), Eb4 (flat 3), E4 (3), F4 (4 of C Dorian and 4 of C Mixolydian), G4 (5 of C Dorian and 5 of C Mixolydian), A4 (6 of C Dorian and 6 of C Mixolydian), Bb4 (flat 7 of C Dorian and flat 7 of C Mixolydian), C5 (root of C Dorian and root of C Mixolydian).
Both scales above are drawn on one piano keyboard in the key of C. Notes belonging to both are drawn as a split two-color dot, so the notes they share and the notes unique to each are visible in one picture.
How the formulas differ
Scale degrees are the key-independent way to compare two scales — these stay the same in every key, and they are what actually distinguishes one scale from another.
| Scale | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Dorian | R · 2 · b3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · b7 |
| Mixolydian | R · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · b7 |
Notes in common
| Note | In Dorian | In Mixolydian |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | R |
| D | 2 | 2 |
| F | 4 | 4 |
| G | 5 | 5 |
| A | 6 | 6 |
| Bb | b7 | b7 |
Notes that differ
- Only in the dorian: Eb (b3)
- Only in the mixolydian: E (3)