Major (Ionian) vs Mixolydian
The C major (ionian) and the C mixolydian share 6 notes — C, D, E, F, G, A. From there, the C major (ionian) adds B, while the C mixolydian adds Bb.
Piano, C3 to C5. Notes in this scale, low to high: C3 (root of C Major (Ionian) and root of C Mixolydian), D3 (2 of C Major (Ionian) and 2 of C Mixolydian), E3 (3 of C Major (Ionian) and 3 of C Mixolydian), F3 (4 of C Major (Ionian) and 4 of C Mixolydian), G3 (5 of C Major (Ionian) and 5 of C Mixolydian), A3 (6 of C Major (Ionian) and 6 of C Mixolydian), Bb3 (flat 7), B3 (7), C4 (root of C Major (Ionian) and root of C Mixolydian), D4 (2 of C Major (Ionian) and 2 of C Mixolydian), E4 (3 of C Major (Ionian) and 3 of C Mixolydian), F4 (4 of C Major (Ionian) and 4 of C Mixolydian), G4 (5 of C Major (Ionian) and 5 of C Mixolydian), A4 (6 of C Major (Ionian) and 6 of C Mixolydian), Bb4 (flat 7), B4 (7), C5 (root of C Major (Ionian) 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 |
|---|---|
| Major (Ionian) | R · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 |
| Mixolydian | R · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · b7 |
Notes in common
| Note | In Major (Ionian) | In Mixolydian |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | R |
| D | 2 | 2 |
| E | 3 | 3 |
| F | 4 | 4 |
| G | 5 | 5 |
| A | 6 | 6 |
Notes that differ
- Only in the major (ionian): B (7)
- Only in the mixolydian: Bb (b7)